Optical fiber alignment device and method

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic alignment device includes a first and a second alignment block and a first and a second gel block. A fiber passage extends from a first end to a second end of the fiber optic alignment device. The fiber passage is adapted to receive a first optical fiber through the first end and a second optical fiber through the second end. An intermediate portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first and the second ends. The intermediate portion is adapted to align the first and the second optical fibers between the first and the second alignment blocks. A first portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the first end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The first portion extends between the first alignment block and the first gel block. A second portion of the fiber passage is positioned between the second end and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage. The second portion extends between the second alignment block and the second gel block. End portions of the first and the second optical fibers may be cleaned when slid between the alignment blocks and the gel blocks. The fiber passage may include an undulating portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/723,169, filed Dec. 20, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,092,755; which isa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/053,222, filedAug. 2, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,520,682; which is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/452,040, filed Mar. 7, 2017, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,042,127; which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/666,065, filed Mar. 23, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,625,657; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/607,133, filed Sep. 7, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,864; whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/531,836, filed Sep. 7, 2011; which applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties. This application is alsorelated to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/531,855, alsofiled Sep. 7, 2011, and entitled OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTION SYSTEM, whichapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Thisapplication is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/607,283, also filed Sep. 7, 2012, and entitled OPTICAL FIBERCONNECTION SYSTEM, which application is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety. This application is also related to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/531,830, also filed Sep. 7, 2011, andentitled TOOLS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING A FERRULE-LESS OPTICAL FIBERCONNECTOR, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety. This application is also related to U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/607,086, also filed Sep. 7, 2012, and entitled TOOLS ANDMETHODS FOR PREPARING A FERRULE-LESS OPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR, whichapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The inventive aspects of this disclosure pertain to devices and methodsfor connecting optical fibers.

BACKGROUND

Fiber optic cables are widely used to transmit light signals for highspeed data transmission. A fiber optic cable typically includes: (1) anoptical fiber or optical fibers; (2) a buffer or buffers that surroundsthe fiber or fibers; (3) a strength layer that surrounds the buffer orbuffers; and (4) an outer jacket. Optical fibers function to carryoptical signals. A typical optical fiber includes an inner coresurrounded by a cladding that is covered by a coating. Buffers (e.g.,loose or tight buffer tubes) typically function to surround and protectcoated optical fibers. Strength layers add mechanical strength to fiberoptic cables to protect the internal optical fibers against stressesapplied to the cables during installation and thereafter. Examplestrength layers include aramid yarn, steel and epoxy reinforced glassroving. Outer jackets provide protection against damage caused bycrushing, abrasions, and other physical damage. Outer jackets alsoprovide protection against chemical damage (e.g., ozone, alkali, acids).

Fiber optic cable connection systems are used to facilitate connectingand disconnecting fiber optic cables in the field without requiring asplice. A typical fiber optic cable connection system forinterconnecting two fiber optic cables includes fiber optic connectorsmounted at the ends of the fiber optic cables, and an adapter formechanically and optically coupling the fiber optic connectors together.Fiber optic connectors often include ferrules that support the ends ofthe optical fibers of the fiber optic cables. The end faces of theferrules are typically polished and are often angled. The adapterincludes co-axially aligned ports (i.e., receptacles) for receiving thefiber optic connectors desired to be interconnected. The adapter oftenincludes an internal sleeve that receives and aligns the ferrules of thefiber optic connectors when the connectors are inserted within the portsof the adapter. With the ferrules and their associated fibers alignedwithin the sleeve of the adapter, a fiber optic signal can pass from onefiber to the next. The adapter also typically has a mechanical fasteningarrangement (e.g., a snap-fit arrangement) for mechanically retainingthe fiber optic connectors within the adapter.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to an optical fiberconnection system including a first optical fiber, a fiber opticadapter, and a first fiber optic connector. The first optical fiberincludes an end portion with an end. The fiber optic adapter includes ahousing and a fiber alignment apparatus. The housing includes a firstport and a second port. The fiber alignment apparatus includes a firstV-block and a first gel block. The fiber alignment apparatus ispositioned between the first port and the second port. The first fiberoptic connector includes a housing and a sheath. The housing extendsbetween a proximal end and a distal end. The first optical fiber extendsthrough the housing and is attached to the housing. The end portion ofthe first optical fiber is positioned outside the housing and beyond thedistal end of the housing. The sheath is slidably connected to thehousing. The sheath is slidable between an extended configuration and aretracted configuration. The sheath covers the end portion of the firstoptical fiber when the sheath is at the extended configuration, and thesheath exposes the end portion of the first optical fiber when thesheath is at the retracted configuration.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a coating includedon the first optical fiber. In certain embodiments, the coating isstripped off of the end portion of the first optical fiber. In certainembodiments, the coating is pre-stripped off of the end portion of thefirst optical fiber before the first optical fiber is attached to thehousing. In preferred embodiments, the coating is post-stripped off ofthe end portion of the first optical fiber after the first optical fiberis attached to the housing.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the firstoptical fiber sliding between the first V-block and the first gel blockwhen the first fiber optic connector is connected to the fiber opticadapter. The first gel block cleans contaminants from the end of thefirst optical fiber when the first optical fiber is sliding between thefirst V-block and the first gel block.

Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a tool set forconnecting a fiber optic cable to the fiber optic connector and/orfinishing the end of the optical fiber after termination by the fiberoptic connector. The tool set may include a crimping tool and/or apolishing tool. The crimping tool includes an end stop and a housinglocating feature that locates the end of the optical fiber relative tothe housing of the fiber optic connector while the crimping tool crimpsthe optical fiber to the housing. The polishing tool defines a polishingplane and includes a housing locating feature that locates a polishedend of the optical fiber relative to the housing of the fiber opticconnector while the polishing tool polishes the polished end. Thepolishing tool may uniquely orient and/or angle the polished endrelative to the housing and thereby relative to the fiber opticconnector.

Still another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a second fiberoptic connector and the connection of the first and the second fiberoptic connectors via the fiber optic adapter. The second fiber opticconnector can be the same as or similar to the first fiber opticconnector. The first and the second fiber optic connectors areindividually connectable to the fiber optic adapter at the first and thesecond ports. Components of the first and the second fiber opticconnectors and the fiber optic adapter are assemblable in aconfiguration that ensures a predetermined orientation between the firstand the second fiber optic connectors. The components may also ensure apredetermined orientation between the fiber optic adapter and the firstand the second fiber optic connectors.

A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the descriptionthat follows. These aspects can relate to individual features and tocombinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoinggeneral description and the following detailed description are exemplaryand explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad concepts uponwhich the embodiments disclosed herein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connection system,according to the principles of the present disclosure, including a fiberoptic adapter and two fiber optic connectors with the fiber opticconnectors fully inserted into the fiber optic adapter;

FIG. 2 is the perspective view of FIG. 1 but with the fiber opticconnectors partially inserted into the fiber optic adapter;

FIG. 3 is the perspective view of FIG. 1 but with the fiber opticadapter cut away revealing a protective sheath of the fiber opticconnectors in a retracted configuration;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is the perspective view of FIG. 1 but with the fiber opticconnectors partially inserted into the fiber optic adapter, as in FIG. 2, and with the fiber optic adapter cut away, as in FIG. 3 , revealingthe protective sheaths of FIG. 3 in an extended configuration;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ,according to the principles of the present disclosure, with theprotective sheath of FIG. 3 in the retracted configuration;

FIG. 8 is the perspective view of FIG. 7 but with the protective sheathof FIG. 3 in the extended configuration;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional elevation side view of the fiber opticconnector of FIG. 1 with the protective sheath of FIG. 3 in theretracted configuration;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 10 ;

FIG. 14 is the cross-sectional elevation side view of FIG. 10 but withthe protective sheath of FIG. 3 in the extended configuration;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 14 ;

FIG. 17 is an elevation distal end view of the fiber optic connector ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 18 is a proximal end view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1rotated 90 degrees from the view of FIG. 17 and before an optical fiberis inserted;

FIG. 19 is a distal end view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1rotated as in FIG. 18 and before an optical fiber is inserted orpolished;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 19 ;

FIG. 22 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 20 but with a bufferedoptical fiber included and a sleeve removed;

FIG. 23 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 21 but with the bufferedoptical fiber of FIG. 22 inserted and the sleeve removed at FIG. 22 alsoremoved;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1with the protective sheath of FIG. 3 in the extended configuration andbefore an optical fiber is inserted or polished;

FIG. 25 is the perspective view of FIG. 24 but with the fiber opticconnector of FIG. 1 cut away;

FIG. 26 is the perspective view of FIG. 24 but exploded;

FIG. 27 is the exploded perspective view of FIG. 26 but with the fiberoptic connector of FIG. 1 cut away, as in FIG. 25 ;

FIG. 28 is another perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG.1 with the protective sheath of FIG. 3 in the extended configuration andbefore an optical fiber is inserted or polished;

FIG. 29 is the perspective view of FIG. 28 but with the fiber opticconnector of FIG. 1 cut away, as in FIG. 25 ;

FIG. 30 is the perspective view of FIG. 28 but exploded;

FIG. 31 is the exploded perspective view of FIG. 30 but with the fiberoptic connector of FIG. 1 cut away, as in FIG. 25 ;

FIG. 32 is the perspective view of FIG. 1 of the fiber optic adapter ofFIG. 1 , according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 33 is the perspective view of FIG. 32 of the fiber optic adapter ofFIG. 1 but exploded revealing an alignment sleeve of the fiber opticadapter;

FIG. 34 is the perspective view of FIG. 32 of the fiber optic adapter ofFIG. 1 but with a housing of the fiber optic adapter cut away revealingthe alignment sleeve of FIG. 33 ;

FIG. 35 is the perspective view of FIG. 33 of the fiber optic adapter ofFIG. 1 but with the housing of FIG. 34 cut away, as in FIG. 34 ;

FIG. 36 is the perspective view of FIG. 33 of the alignment sleeve ofFIG. 33 , according to the principles of the present disclosure, with apair of sleeves of the alignment sleeve cut away revealing a pair ofV-blocks and a pair of gel blocks;

FIG. 37 is the perspective view of FIG. 33 of the alignment sleeve ofFIG. 33 with the pair of the sleeves of FIG. 36 exploded;

FIG. 38 is the perspective view of FIG. 37 of the alignment sleeve ofFIG. 33 with the pair of the sleeves of FIG. 36 exploded and with thepair of the sleeves cut away, as in FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 38 ;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a portion ofFIG. 38 ;

FIG. 41 is an enlarged cross-sectional perspective view of a portion ofFIG. 38 ;

FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional elevation side view of the alignment sleeveof FIG. 33 ;

FIG. 43 is the cross-sectional elevation side view of FIG. 42 but withthe pair of the gel blocks of FIG. 36 removed;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the alignment sleeve of FIG. 33 asindicated at FIG. 43 with the pair of the gel blocks of FIG. 36 removed;

FIG. 45 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 43 ;

FIG. 46 is a cross-sectional view of the alignment sleeve of FIG. 33 asindicated at FIG. 43 with the pair of the gel blocks of FIG. 36 removed;

FIG. 47 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 43 ;

FIG. 48 is a top plan view of a half-piece of the housing of FIG. 34 ,according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 49 is a bottom plan view of the half-piece of FIG. 48 ;

FIG. 50 is a side elevation view of the half-piece of FIG. 48 ;

FIG. 51 is a first end elevation view of the half-piece of FIG. 48 ;

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 50 ;

FIG. 53 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 50 ;

FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 50 ;

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 50 ;

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 50 ;

FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 50 ;

FIG. 58 is a second end elevation view of the half-piece of FIG. 48 ;

FIG. 59 is an outer end view of the sleeve of FIG. 36 , according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 60 is a side view of the sleeve of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 61 is an inner end view of the sleeve of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 62 is a bottom view of the sleeve of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 63 is an exploded perspective view of the pair of the V-blocks andthe pair of the gel blocks of FIG. 36 , according to the principles ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 64 is a top plan view of the V-block of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 65 is an end view of the V-block of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 66 is a partial side view of the V-block of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 67 is a top plan view of the gel block of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 68 is an end view of the gel block of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 69 is a partial side view of the gel block of FIG. 36 ;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view of a crimping tool, according to theprinciples of the present disclosure, in an open configuration, thecrimping tool adapted to crimp the fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 to afiber optic cable;

FIG. 71 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 70 ;

FIG. 72 is the perspective view of the crimping tool of FIG. 70 but withthe fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 loaded;

FIG. 73 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 72 ;

FIG. 74 is the perspective view of the crimping tool of FIG. 70 but withthe fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 loaded and the crimping tool in aclosed configuration;

FIG. 75 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 74 ;

FIG. 76 is a partial perspective view of a first crimping member of thecrimping tool of FIG. 70 ;

FIG. 77 is a partial perspective view of a second crimping member of thecrimping tool of FIG. 70 ;

FIG. 78 is a perspective view of a polishing tool, according to theprinciples of the present disclosure, with the fiber optic connector ofFIG. 1 loaded into a holder of the polishing tool;

FIG. 79 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 78 but with the polishing toolcut away;

FIG. 80 is the perspective view of FIG. 78 but with only the holder ofFIG. 78 shown;

FIG. 81 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 80 but with the holder cut away;

FIG. 82 is a perspective view of the holder of FIG. 78 with the fiberoptic connector of FIG. 1 loaded;

FIG. 83 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 82 but with the holder cut awayand with the fiber optic connector shown before polishing;

FIG. 84 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 82 but with the holder cut awayand with the fiber optic connector shown after polishing;

FIG. 85 is the perspective view of FIG. 82 but with only the holder ofFIG. 78 shown;

FIG. 86 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 85 but with the holder cut away;

FIG. 87 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 85 ;

FIG. 88 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 20 but with a partiallystripped optical fiber overlaid;

FIG. 89 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 21 but with an un-strippedoptical fiber inserted and cross-sectioned;

FIG. 90 is an exploded perspective view of another alignment sleeve,according to the principles of the present disclosure, compatible withthe fiber optic adapter of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 91 is the exploded perspective view of FIG. 90 but with thealignment sleeve cross-sectioned;

FIG. 92 is the cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 91 butunexploded;

FIG. 93 is the cross-sectional view of FIG. 92 but is a side elevationview;

FIG. 94 is an exploded perspective view of another holder, according tothe principles of the present disclosure, compatible with the polishingtool of FIG. 78 and another fiber optic connector similar to the fiberoptic connector of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 95 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 94 ;

FIG. 96 is a perspective view of the holder of FIG. 94 ;

FIG. 97 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 96 ;

FIG. 98 is the perspective view of FIG. 94 but unexploded;

FIG. 99 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 98 ;

FIG. 100 is a perspective view of another optical fiber connectionsystem, according to the principles of the present disclosure, includinga fiber optic adapter and two fiber optic connectors with the fiberoptic connectors fully inserted into the fiber optic adapter;

FIG. 101 is the perspective view of FIG. 100 but with the fiber opticadapter and the fiber optic connectors cross-sectioned revealing aprotective sheath of the fiber optic connectors in a retractedconfiguration and a release sleeve of the fiber optic connectors in anon-releasing configuration;

FIG. 102 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 101 with crosshatching removed;

FIG. 103 is the perspective view of FIG. 100 but with the releasesleeves of the fiber optic connectors moved to a releasingconfiguration;

FIG. 104 is the perspective view of FIG. 103 but with the fiber opticadapter and the fiber optic connectors cross-sectioned revealing theprotective sheath of the fiber optic connectors in the retractedconfiguration;

FIG. 105 is the perspective view of FIG. 100 but with the fiber opticconnectors partially inserted into the fiber optic adapter;

FIG. 106 is the perspective view of FIG. 105 but with the fiber opticadapter and the fiber optic connectors cross-sectioned revealing theprotective sheaths of the fiber optic connectors in an extendedconfiguration;

FIG. 107 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 106 with crosshatching removed;

FIG. 108 is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 100, according to the principles of the present disclosure, with theprotective sheath of FIG. 101 in the extended configuration and therelease sleeve of FIG. 101 in the non-releasing configuration;

FIG. 109 is the perspective view of FIG. 108 but with the fiber opticconnector cross-sectioned;

FIG. 110 is the perspective view of FIG. 108 but with the protectivesheath of FIG. 101 in the retracted configuration;

FIG. 111 is the perspective view of FIG. 110 but with the fiber opticconnector cross-sectioned;

FIG. 112 is the perspective view of FIG. 108 but with the protectivesheath of FIG. 101 in the retracted configuration and the release sleeveof FIG. 101 in the releasing configuration;

FIG. 113 is the perspective view of FIG. 112 but with the fiber opticconnector cross-sectioned;

FIG. 114 is an exploded perspective view of the fiber optic connector ofFIG. 100 ;

FIG. 115 is the exploded perspective view of FIG. 114 but with the fiberoptic connector cross-sectioned;

FIG. 116 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector of FIG.100 , as called out at FIG. 108 , with the protective sheath of FIG. 101in the extended configuration and the release sleeve of FIG. 101 in thenon-releasing configuration further including a crimp sleeve and a fiberoptic cable with a buffer layer, strength members, and a jacket;

FIG. 117 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector of FIG.100 , as called out at FIG. 108 , with the protective sheath of FIG. 101in the extended configuration and the release sleeve of FIG. 101 in thenon-releasing configuration further including the fiber optic cable andcrimp sleeve of FIG. 116 ;

FIG. 118 is a perspective view of the fiber optic adapter of FIG. 100 ,according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 119 is the perspective view of FIG. 118 but with the fiber opticadapter cross-sectioned;

FIG. 120 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 119 ;

FIG. 121 is an exploded perspective view of another pair of V-blocks andanother pair of gel blocks, according to the principles of the presentdisclosure, similar to those of FIG. 36 , but defining undulating pathsfor the optical fibers;

FIG. 122 is an end elevation view of one of the pair of V-blocks of FIG.121 , according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 123 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the V-block of FIG.122 , as called out at FIG. 122 ;

FIG. 124 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional side elevation view ofthe pair of V-blocks and the pair of gel blocks of FIG. 121 assembled,and the undulating paths of FIG. 121 formed between an intermediateportion of the assembled pair of V-blocks;

FIG. 125 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the pair ofV-blocks and the pair of gel blocks of FIG. 121 assembled and aligning apair of optical fibers, and ends of the pair of optical fibers abuttingeach other within the intermediate portion and urged together, at leastin part, by the undulating paths of FIG. 121 ;

FIG. 126 is a cross-sectional top plan view of still another opticalfiber connection system, according to the principles of the presentdisclosure, including a fiber optic adapter, with the pair of V-blocksand the pair of gel blocks of FIG. 121 , and two fiber optic connectors,with the fiber optic connectors fully inserted into the fiber opticadapter, the view revealing a protective sheath of the fiber opticconnectors in a retracted configuration and a release sleeve of thefiber optic connectors in a non-releasing configuration;

FIG. 127 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 126 ;

FIG. 128 is the cross-sectional top plan view of FIG. 126 but with therelease sleeves of the fiber optic connectors moved to a releasingconfiguration;

FIG. 129 is the cross-sectional top plan view of FIG. 126 but with thefiber optic connectors partially inserted into the fiber optic adapterand the protective sheaths of the fiber optic connectors in an extendedconfiguration;

FIG. 130 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 129 ;

FIG. 131 is a perspective view of the fiber optic adapter of FIG. 126 ,according to the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 132 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the fiber opticadapter of FIG. 126 ;

FIG. 133 is an enlarged portion of FIG. 132 ;

FIG. 134 is a perspective view of one of the two fiber optic connectorsof FIG. 126 converted by a ferrule adaptation into an SC compatibleconnector with a form factor of an SC connector, according to theprinciples of the present disclosure;

FIG. 135 is another perspective view of the SC compatible connector ofFIG. 134 ;

FIG. 136 is a cross-sectional top plan view of the SC compatibleconnector of FIG. 134 ;

FIG. 137 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the SC compatibleconnector of FIG. 134 ;

FIG. 138 is an exploded perspective view of one of the two fiber opticconnectors of FIG. 126 ;

FIG. 139 is the exploded perspective view of FIG. 138 but with the fiberoptic connector cross-sectioned;

FIG. 140 is a perspective view of the ferrule adaptation of FIG. 134 ;

FIG. 141 is another perspective view of the ferrule adaptation of FIG.134 ;

FIG. 142 is still another perspective view of the ferrule adaptation ofFIG. 134 ;

FIG. 143 is an end elevation view of the ferrule adaptation of FIG. 134; and

FIG. 144 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the ferrule adaptationof FIG. 134 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of thepresent disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawings to refer to the same or like structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6 , a fiber optic connection system 80 isillustrated. The fiber optic connection system 80 is used to connect afirst fiber optic cable 82 to a second fiber optic cable 92. The firstfiber optic cable 82 extends between a first end portion 84 and a secondend portion 86 (see FIGS. 1 and 4 ). Likewise, the second fiber opticcable 92 extends between a first end portion 94 and a second end portion96. As depicted, each of the fiber optic cables 82, 92 includes anoptical fiber 88 and a coating 90 (see FIGS. 22, 23, 88, and 89 ). Eachof the optical fibers 88 in the fiber optic cables 82, 92 includes anend 98 of the optical fiber 88. As illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 4 , thefiber optic connection system 80 brings the ends 98 of the opticalfibers 88 in proximity to each other so that an optical signal may betransmitted between the first fiber optic cable 82 and the second fiberoptic cable 92.

In the depicted embodiments of the figures, the fiber optic cables 82,92 each include the optical fiber 88 and the coating 90. In otherembodiments, the fiber optic cables may each include multiple opticalfibers 88, each with the coating 90. In other embodiments, the fiberoptic cables may include strength members, jackets, and other componentsknown in the art of fiber optic cables. FIGS. 22 and 23 depict a fiberoptic cable 82′ similar to the fiber optic cables 82, 92 but furtherincluding a buffer layer 108 (e.g., a buffer tube, a tight buffer layer,a loose buffer layer). In preferred embodiments, the buffer layer 108 isa tight buffer layer. The fiber optic cable 82′ may be a first fiberoptic cable 82′ or a second fiber optic cable 92′. The fiber opticcables 82′, 92′ also include an end 98 that may be optically connectedto the other ends 98 of the fiber optic cables 82, 82′, 92, 92′ by thefiber optic connection system 80. The fiber optic cables 82, 82′, 92,92′ may extend relatively short distances, such as in jumper cables, mayextend intermediate distances, or may extend long distances of manymiles.

As illustrated at FIGS. 1-3 and 5 , the fiber optic connection system 80includes a fiber optic adapter 300, a first fiber optic connector 100,and a second fiber optic connector 102. In the depicted embodiment, thefirst fiber optic connector 100 and the second fiber optic connector 102are substantially the same fiber optic connector 100. In otherembodiments, the fiber optic connectors may be substantially differentfrom each other. For example, the first fiber optic connector may be ahardened fiber optic connector and the second fiber optic connector maybe an unhardened fiber optic connector.

The fiber optic adapter 300 is adapted to receive the first fiber opticconnector 100 and the second fiber optic connector 102. The first fiberoptic connector 100 terminates the first end portion 84 of the firstfiber optic cable 82, 82′. Likewise, the second fiber optic connector102 terminates the first end portion 94 of the second fiber optic cable92, 92′. When the first and the second fiber optic connectors 100, 102are fully received within the fiber optic adapter 300, the ends 98 ofthe optical fibers 88 are held in close proximity to each other or incontact with each other, as shown at FIG. 4 . The fiber optic adapter300 thereby facilitates a physical connection of the fiber optic cables82, 82′, 92, 92′, via the fiber optic connectors 100, 102, and alsofacilitates an optical connection between the first fiber optic cable82, 82′ and the second fiber optic cable 92, 92′. The fiber opticadapter 300 is also adapted to release either or both of the fiber opticconnectors 100, 102. The fiber optic connectors 100, 102, and therebythe fiber optic cables 82, 82′, 92, 92′ may be disconnected from eachother and the fiber optic adapter 300.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-31 , the fiber optic connectors 100 and 102 willbe described in detail. As the depicted embodiments of FIGS. 7-31include fiber optic connectors 100, 102 that are the same fiber opticconnector 100, reference will sometimes only be made to the fiber opticconnector 100. Likewise, as certain of the depicted embodiments includefiber optic cables 82, 92 that are the same fiber optic cable 82,reference will sometimes only be made to the fiber optic cable 82.Likewise, as certain of the depicted embodiments include fiber opticcables 82′, 92′ that are the same fiber optic cable 82′, reference willsometimes only be made to the fiber optic cable 82′.

The fiber optic connector 100 includes a housing 110, a sheath 130(i.e., a protective shroud), a spring 170, a plug 180, and a sleeve 210.The fiber optic connector 100 extends between a distal end portion 104and a proximal end portion 106. The distal end portion 104 generallycoincides with or is adjacent to the end 98 of the optical fiber 88, andthe proximal end portion 106 is generally connected to and adjacent to aportion of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ that is external to the fiberoptic connector 100.

As illustrated at FIGS. 7, 8, 26, 27, 30, and 31 , the housing 110extends from a distal end portion 112 to a proximal end portion 114. Thehousing 110 includes an exterior 116 and an interior 118. An indexingfeature 120 is included on the housing 110 of the fiber optic connector100. The indexing feature 120 allows the fiber optic connector 100 to beoriented at a unique orientation when connected (e.g., to the fiberoptic adapter 300). In the depicted embodiment, the indexing feature 120is included on the exterior 116 of the housing 110. The housing 110includes a bore 122. The bore 122 partially defines the interior 118 ofthe housing 110. The housing 110 includes a shoulder 124. In thedepicted embodiment, the shoulder 124 is adjacent the distal end portion112. In the depicted embodiment, a bore 126 is also positioned adjacentthe distal end portion 112 and extends between the shoulder 124 and adistal end of the distal end portion 112. As depicted, the bore 126includes a reduced diameter in comparison with the bore 122.

The sheath 130 extends between a distal end portion 132 and a proximalend portion 134. The sheath 130 includes a passage 136 that extendsbetween the distal end portion 132 and the proximal end portion 134. Afunnel 138 is defined adjacent the proximal end portion 134 of thesheath 130 with a larger portion extending toward the proximal endportion 134. The funnel 138 connects to a bore 142 that continues on tothe distal end portion 132. The sheath 130 includes a radial compressionfeature 140. In the depicted embodiment, the radial compression feature140 is a collet. In the depicted embodiment, the collet 140 is formedinto the sheath 130 by slits 144 that extend between the bore 142 and anexterior 148 of the sheath 130. As depicted, there are two of the slits144 that form two resilient fingers 158. In other embodiments, more ofthe slits 144 may be included and thereby form more of the resilientfingers 158. The sheath 130 includes a tapered seat 146. The taperedseat 146 is at the distal end portion 132 of the sheath 130 on theexterior 148. In the depicted embodiment, the radial compression feature140 is actuated by the tapered seat 146. The exterior 148 of the sheath130 also includes a cylindrical portion 150 and a step 152 between thetapered seat 146 and the cylindrical portion 150. In the depictedembodiment, the step 152 includes a shoulder. A shoulder 154 is formedadjacent the proximal end portion 134 of the sheath 130. In the depictedembodiment, the shoulder 154 is formed adjacent a cylindrical portion156 at the proximal end portion 134 of the sheath 130. In the depictedembodiment, the cylindrical portion 156 extends between the shoulder 154and a proximal end of the proximal end portion 134 of the sheath 130.The sheath 130 includes a spring seat 160 at the proximal end of theproximal end portion 134. In the depicted embodiment, the sheath 130 isa one-piece sheath (e.g. a unitary sheath, a monolithic sheath, etc.).

As illustrated at FIGS. 10 and 14 , the sheath 130 is slidable relativeto the housing 110. FIG. 14 illustrates the sheath 130 in an extendedconfiguration 162, and FIG. 10 illustrates the sheath 130 in a retractedconfiguration 164. The sheath 130 may slide a distance D1 between theretracted configuration 164 and the extended configuration 162. FIG. 15further illustrates the extended configuration 162. In particular, theshoulder 154 of the sheath 130 abuts the shoulder 124 of the housing110. The sheath 130 is thereby prevented from extending past theextended configuration 162. As the sheath 130 is moved from the extendedconfiguration 162 to the retracted configuration 164, the shoulder 154separates from the shoulder 124 (see FIGS. 10-12 ). The cylindricalportion 150 of the sheath 130 rides on the bore 126 of the housing 110,and the cylindrical portion 156 of the sheath 130 rides on the bore 122of the housing 110. The sheath 130 is thereby supported by the housing110 at two locations. When the sheath 130 is at the retractedconfiguration 164, the step 152 is positioned adjacent the distal endportion 112 of the housing 110 (see FIG. 10 ).

The spring 170 of the fiber optic connector 100 extends between a firstend 172 and a second end 174. As depicted, the first end 172 is a distalend and the second end 174 is a proximal end. As depicted, the spring170 is a helical coil spring, including a helical coil 176. The spring170 biases the sheath 130 toward the extended configuration 162. Inother embodiments, other biasing members may be used to bias the sheath130 toward the extended configuration of 162. The sheath 130 compressesthe spring 170 when the sheath 130 is moved from the extendedconfiguration 162 to the retracted configuration 164.

The plug 180 extends from a first end 182 to a second end 184. In thedepicted embodiment, the plug 180 is an end plug. In the depictedembodiment, the first end 182 is a distal end and the second end 184 isa proximal end. The plug 180 may be made of a metallic material (e.g.brass, stainless steel, etc.). An interior passage 186 extends betweenthe first end 182 and the second end 184. The interior passage 186includes a bore portion 188, a compression portion 190, and a stressrelief portion 192. The bore portion 188 is adjacent the first end 182.The stress relief portion 192 is adjacent the second end 184. Thecompression portion 190 is between the bore portion 188 and the stressrelief portion 192. The plug 180 includes an exterior 194. The exterior194 includes a spring seat 196, a connecting portion 198, a crimpingportion 200, and a cable entrance 204. The spring seat 196 abuts thesecond end 174 of the spring 170 when the plug 180 is assembled into thehousing 110. The spring 170 is thereby retained within the bore 122 ofthe housing 110.

The connecting portion 198 of the plug 180 is retained within the bore122 of the housing 110 (e.g., by a compression fit). In otherembodiments, the connecting portion 198 may be retained within thehousing 110 by a threaded connection. In still other embodiments, theconnecting portion 198 may be adhesively bonded to the bore 122 of thehousing 110. The exterior 194 of the plug 180 further includes atransition 202 between the connecting portion 198 and the crimpingportion 200. In the depicted embodiment, the transition 202 includes astep. The exterior 194 of the plug 180 further includes a transition 206between the crimping portion 200 and the cable entrance portion 204. Inthe depicted embodiment, the transition 206 includes a step. The stressrelief portion 192 of the interior passage 186 of the plug 180 smoothlytransitions from the compression portion 190 and flares outwardly as thestress relief portion 192 extends toward the second end 184.

In the depicted embodiment, the plug 180 is a one-piece plug (e.g. aunitary plug, a monolithic plug, etc.). In the depicted embodiment, theplug 180 is a multi-function plug (e.g., the plug 180 includes the crimpfunction, the spring seat function, the connecting functions, and otherfunctions including those mentioned above). In the depicted embodiment,the plug 180 is an integrated multi-function plug. In other embodiments,the various functions of the plug 180 can be separated into separatecomponents. In certain embodiments, some or all of the components maynot take the form of a plug.

The sleeve 210 of the fiber optic connector 100 extends from a first end212 to a second end 214. In the depicted embodiment, the first end 212is a distal end and the second end 214 is a proximal end. An interiorpassage 216 extends between the first end 212 and the second end 214.The interior passage 216 includes a bore portion 218, a compressionportion 220, and a stress relief portion 222. The bore portion 218generally coincides with the bore portion 188, the compression portion220 generally coincides with the compression portion 190, and the stressrelief portion 222 generally coincides with the stress relief portion192. The sleeve 210 includes an exterior 224. The exterior 224 includesan uncompressed portion 226, a compressed portion 228, and a cableentrance 230. In the depicted embodiment, the cable entrance 230includes a stress relief portion. The uncompressed portion 226 generallycoincides with the bore portion 188 of the plug 180. The compressedportion 228 generally corresponds and coincides with the compressionportion 190. And, the cable entrance 230 generally coincides with thestress relief portion 192.

In the depicted embodiment, the sleeve 210 performs a stress relieffunction. In particular, the stress relief portion 222 is shaped toprotect the optical fiber 88 from sharp bends as the fiber optic cable82 exits the fiber optic connector 100. In the depicted embodiment, thesleeve 210 performs a stress distributing function. In particular, thesleeve 210 includes compliant material that distributes pressuregenerated by the compression portion 190 of the plug 180 to the fiberoptic cable 82 and/or the optical fiber 88. In the depicted embodiment,the compliant material of the sleeve 210 substantially reduces oreliminates any peak loads that would otherwise be transferred to thefiber optic cable 82 and/or the optical fiber 88 from the plug 180. Inother embodiments, the various functions of the sleeve 210 can beseparated into separate components. In certain embodiments, some or allof the components may not take the form of a sleeve. In certainembodiments, the sleeve 210 or portions of the sleeve 210 can becombined with (e.g., integrated with) the plug 180.

FIGS. 1-10, 14-17, 88, and 89 illustrate the fiber optic connector 100with the fiber optic cable 82 installed. FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate thefiber optic connector 100 with the fiber optic cable 82′ installed.FIGS. 18-21 and 24-31 show the fiber optic connector 100 without thefiber optic cable 82, 82′ installed. The fiber optic cables 82, 82′illustrated in the figures are fiber optic cables with a nominal 250 μmoutside diameter coating 90 and a nominal 125 μm diameter optical fiber88. Various tolerances and various processes that are used to make theoptical fiber 88 and the coating 90 may result in diameters that varyfrom the nominal diameters. For example, the nominal 250 μm outsidediameter of the coating 90 may range from about 250 μm to about 260 μm,in certain embodiments. The fiber optic cable 82′ may be a fiber opticcable with a nominal 900 μm outside diameter buffer tube 108. In otherembodiments, the optical fiber 88, the coating 90, and/or the buffertube 108 can be other sizes. In the depicted embodiment, the coating 90is a tightly bound coating.

As depicted at FIGS. 22 and 23 , when the fiber optic connector 100 isused with the fiber optic cable 82′ with the buffer tube 108, the sleeve210 may be omitted, and the buffer tube 108 may directly interface withthe interior passage 186 of the plug 180 (e.g., the end plug). Thus, thesleeve 210 is a converting sleeve that converts the fiber opticconnector 100 to various fiber optic cable types. In certainembodiments, the sleeve 210 may have multiple variations of sizes andshapes to adapt the fiber optic connector 100 to the various fiber opticcable types.

In certain embodiments, the buffer tube 108 (if present) and the coating90 of the fiber optic cables 82, 82′ may be pre-stripped from the fiberoptic cable 82, 82′ before insertion of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′into the fiber optic connector 100. As illustrated at FIG. 10 ,dimension D2 indicates a dimension of a portion of the coating 90 thatmay be stripped from the fiber optic cable 82, 82′. The stripped portionof the coating 90 of the fiber optic cables 82, 82′ may be strippedbefore the insertion of the fiber optic cables 82, 82′ or may bestripped after the insertion of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ into theconnector 100. The coating 90 of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ may bepartially stripped to a smaller diameter before the insertion into thefiber optic connector 100, and then may be further stripped (e.g., finalstripped) after the insertion of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ into thefiber optic connector 100, as further described below.

In embodiments with the buffer layer 108, it is preferred that an endportion of the buffer layer 108 is stripped from the fiber optic cable82′ before the insertion of the fiber optic cable 82′ into the connector100 (see FIGS. 22 and 23 ). As depicted, a length D4 of the buffer layer108 is striped off an end portion of the fiber optic cable 82′.

Upon the pre-stripping of the buffer tube 108 (if present) and/or thecoating 90 off of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′, the end 98 of theoptical fiber 88 is inserted through the proximal end portion 106 of thefiber optic connector 100. In embodiments that do not pre-strip, the endportion 84 of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ and/or the end 98 of theoptical fiber 88 is inserted through the proximal end portion 106 of thefiber optic connector 100. In particular, the end 98 of the opticalfiber 88 is inserted through the stress relief portion 222 of the sleeve210, if present, or the stress relief portion 192 of the plug 180, ifthe sleeve 210 is not present. The stress relief portion 192 or thestress relief portion 222 thereby may act as a guide to aid theinsertion of the end portion 84 of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ and/orthe end 98 of the optical fiber 88.

The end portion 84 of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ and/or the end 98 ofthe optical fiber 88 is further slid through the interior passage 216 ofthe sleeve 210 or the interior passage 186 of the plug 180 and into thespring 170, within the helical coil 176. The insertion of the fiberoptic cable 82, 82′ and/or the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 into theconnector 100 continues with the end portion 84 of the fiber optic cable82, 82′ and/or the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 entering the funnel138 of the sheath 130. The insertion continues through the passage 136until the end portion 84 and/or the end 98 extends to or beyond thedistal end portion 132 of the sheath 130. In certain embodiments, theend 98 of the optical fiber 88 is fully inserted when the end 98 extendsabout a distance D3 beyond the distal end portion 112 of the housing 110(see FIG. 10 ). In certain embodiments, the end 98 of the optical fiber88 is fully inserted when the end 98 extends slightly greater than thedistance D3 beyond the distal end portion 112 of the housing 110. Theinsertion distance in excess of the distance D3 can serve as a polishingallowance for when the end 98 is polished to a polished end 98′, as willbe further described below.

FIG. 88 illustrates the pre-stripped fiber optic cable 82 (e.g., aportion of the coating 90 has been fully or partially stripped) insertedinto the fiber optic connector 100. FIGS. 23 and 89 illustrate the fiberoptic cables 82, 82′, with no pre-stripping of the coating 90, insertedinto the fiber optic connector 100.

Upon proper longitudinal positioning of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′and/or the optical fiber 88 within the fiber optic connector 100, thecompression portion 190 of the plug 180 is activated. As will bedescribed in detail below, the compression portion 190 may be activatedby the crimp portion 200 of the plug 180. The activation of thecompression portion 190 causes the compression portion 190 to compressthe compressed portion 228 of the sleeve 210, if present. Upon thecompressed portion 228 of the sleeve 210 being compressed by thecompression portion 190, the compression portion 220 of the sleeve 210compresses the fiber optic cable 82. As depicted, the compressionportion 220 of the sleeve 210 compresses the coating 90 of the fiberoptic cable 82. If the sleeve 210 is not present, the activation of thecompression portion 190 causes the compression portion 190 to beardirectly against the buffer tube 108 of the fiber optic cable 82′. Uponthe activation of the compression portion 190, the longitudinal positionof the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ is fixed relative to the longitudinalposition of the housing 110 of the fiber optic connector 100.

In the depicted embodiment, the compression portion 190 is activated bycrimping. In other embodiments, the compression portion 190 may beactivated by other compressing members or member. For example, thecompression portion 190 may be activated by activating a collet with anut.

Upon the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ and/or the optical fiber 88 beinglongitudinally located within the fiber optic connector 100, the radialcompression feature 140 of the sheath 130 is activated and therebycompresses against the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ and/or the opticalfiber 88. In certain preferred embodiments where the coating 90 is notpre-stripped (e.g., see FIGS. 22, 23, and 89 ), the radial compressionfeatures 140 of the sheath 130 compress against the coating 90 near oradjacent to the end 98 of the optical fiber 88. In certain embodimentswhere the coating 90 is pre-stripped (e.g., see FIG. 88 ), the radialcompression features 140 of the sheath 130 may compress against bareglass of the optical fiber 88 near or adjacent to the end 98 of theoptical fiber 88. The activation of the radial compression feature 140is done in preparation for polishing the end 98 of the optical fiber 88.In the depicted embodiment, the radial compression feature 140 isactivated by the resilient fingers 158 deforming to an engagingconfiguration. When the resilient fingers 158 are deformed to theengaging configuration, a gripping portion 142′ of the bore 142 reducesin size. The reduction in size of the gripping portion 142′ causes thegripping portion 142′ to compresses against the fiber optic cable 82,82′ and/or the optical fiber 88. If the coating 90 of the fiber opticcable 82, 82′ is pre-stripped, the radial compression feature 140 (e.g.,the gripping portion 142′) may bear down directly against the glass(i.e., the light conducing portion) of the optical fiber 88. If thecoating 90 of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ is unstripped or partiallystripped, the radial compression feature 140 (e.g., the gripping portion142′) may bear down against the coating 90.

Upon the radial compression feature 140 being activated, the end 98 ofthe optical fiber 88 is polished. As the radial compression feature 140is preferably located adjacent the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 and/orthe end portion 84 of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′, the end 98 and/orthe end portion 84 is/are well supported and located by the radialcompression feature 140, when it is activated. As illustrated at FIGS.10, 13, 14, and 16 , the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 may be polishedto an angle α. In certain embodiments, the angle α may range from about90 degrees to about 120 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle α mayrange from about 95 degrees to about 100 degrees. In still otherembodiments, the angle α may range from about 105 degrees to about 110degrees. As illustrated at FIGS. 13 and 16 , the polishing process mayremove a portion of the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 and leave thepolished end 98′. The polishing process may thereby precisely locate thepolished end 98′ of the optical fiber 88 relative to the compressionportion 190.

As the compression portion 190 fixes the longitudinal position of thefiber optic cable 82, 82′ relative to the longitudinal position of thehousing 110 of the fiber optic connector 100, the polishing processprecisely locates the polished end 98′ of the optical fiber 88 relativeto the housing 110. The polishing process may further remove a portionof the distal end portion 132 of the sheath 130, as illustrated at FIGS.6-10, 14, 16, 17, and 84 . An example polishing process and tools arefurther described and illustrated below.

Upon the polishing process being complete, the radial compressionfeature 140 is deactivated. The deactivation of the radial compressionfeature 140 allows the sheath 130 to slide freely along the opticalfiber 88 and/or the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ between the extendedconfiguration 162 and the retracted configuration 164. In the depictedembodiment, the radial compression feature 140 is deactivated by theresilient fingers 158 returning to a non-engaging configuration andthereby uncompressing the gripping portion 142′ from the fiber opticcable 82, 82′ and/or the optical fiber 88. In the depicted embodiment,the engaging configuration (i.e., the activated configuration) of theresilient fingers 158 has the resilient fingers 158 deformed andactuated, and the non-engaging configuration (i.e., the deactivatedconfiguration) of the resilient fingers 158 has the resilient fingers158 relaxed and un-actuated. In other embodiments, the engagingconfiguration (i.e., the activated configuration) of the resilientfingers 158 has the resilient fingers 158 un-actuated, and thenon-engaging configuration (i.e., the deactivated configuration) of theresilient fingers 158 has the resilient fingers 158 actuated.

In embodiments where the coating 90 is stripped after the insertion ofthe fiber optic cable 82, 82′ into the fiber optic connector 100, and/orin embodiments where the coating 90 is partially stripped from the fiberoptic cable 82, 82′ before the insertion of the fiber optic cable 82,82′ into the fiber optic connector 100, the portion of the coating 90that is to be stripped away may be stripped by putting the sheath 130 atthe retracted configuration 164 and then applying a stripping tool (notshown) to the coating 90, adjacent the distal end portion 132 of thesheath 130. The sheath 130 may then be extended to the extendedconfiguration 162. As the sheath 130 is extended to the extendedconfiguration 162, the stripping process may be executed. In particular,the spring 170 may assist in extending the sheath 130 to the extendedconfiguration 162, and thereby the spring 170 may assist in thestripping process as the sheath 130 pushes on the stripping tool. Thestripping tool may be similar to a stripping tool known in the art as a“Miller Buffer Stripper”. Various “Miller Buffer Stripper” tools aresold by Go4Fiber Ltd. of 13/F Culturecom Centre, 47 Hung To Road, KwunTong, Hong Kong. The “Miller Buffer Stripper” may be modified into thestripping tool by, for example, adding a tip receiving portion toreceive the tapered seat 146 and/or the distal end portion 132 of thesheath 130.

After the stripping process, the sheath 130 functions as a protectivemember over the optical fiber 88. In particular, as illustrated at FIGS.3-6 , when the fiber optic connector 100 is disconnected (see FIGS. 5,6, and 8 ), the sheath 130 is in the extended configuration 162. Whenthe fiber optic connector 100 is connected, the sheath 130 retracts tothe retracted configuration 164 (see FIGS. 3, 4, and 7 ). Furtherdetails of connecting the fiber optic connector 100 and/or the fiberoptic connector 102 to the fiber optic adapter 300 are described below.

Turning now to FIGS. 32-47 , the fiber optic adapter 300 will bedescribed in further detail. The fiber optic adapter 300 extends from afirst end 302 to a second end 304. An intermediate portion 306 ispositioned between the first end 302 and the second end 304. In thedepicted embodiment, a mounting flange 308 is positioned over theintermediate portion 306. The fiber optic adapter 300 includes a housing310 and an alignment sleeve assembly 450 housed within the housing 310.The housing 310 includes a first port 312 and a second port 314. Thefiber optic adapter 300 includes an exterior 316. The mounting flange308 may be attached to or integrated with the exterior 316 of the fiberoptic adapter 300.

In the depicted embodiment, the fiber optic adapter 300 includes a firstlatch 322 and a second latch 324. The first latch 322 and the secondlatch 324 are accessible from the exterior 316 of the fiber opticadapter 300. The first latch 322 is adapted to releasably retain thefirst fiber optic connector 100. And the second latch 324 is adapted toreleasably retain the second fiber optic connector 102. The first latch322 includes a first release 326 that is accessible from the exterior316 of the fiber optic adapter 300. Likewise, the second latch 324includes a second release 328 that is accessible from the exterior 316of the fiber optic adapter 300. By actuating the first release 326, thefirst fiber optic connector 100 can be released from the fiber opticadapter 300. Likewise, by actuating the second release 328, the secondfiber optic connector 102 can be released from the fiber optic adapter300. The first release 326 corresponds with the first port 312, and thesecond release 328 corresponds with the second port 314.

The fiber optic adapter 300 includes a keying feature 332 and a keyingfeature 334. The keying features 332, 334 ensure a proper orientation ofthe fiber optic adapter 300 when it is installed. The keying features332, 334 are oriented such that installation of the fiber optic adapter300 results in an orientation of the fiber optic adapter 300 that ispredetermined. In the depicted embodiment, the keying feature 332 andthe keying feature 334 are rotated from each other by 180 degrees aboutan axis A1 (see FIG. 34 ), and the fiber optic adapter 300 can thereforebe installed in two orientations that are rotated from each other by 180degrees about the axis A1. In the depicted embodiment, the fiber opticadapter 300 has the same form, fit, and function when it is rotatedabout the axis A1 by 180 degrees. In other embodiments, the fiber opticadapter 300 has a unique installation orientation.

In the depicted embodiment, the fiber optic adapter 300 includes thehousing 310 that is constructed of a first housing half-piece 340 and asecond housing half-piece 342. In the depicted embodiment, the firsthousing half-piece 340 and the second housing half-piece 342 areidentical housing half-pieces 340. In the depicted embodiment, thehousing half-piece 340 is a one-piece half-piece (e.g. a unitaryhalf-piece, a monolithic half-piece, etc.). The first housing half-piece340 extends between a first end 344 and a second end 346. The housinghalf-piece 340 includes a joining interface 348. The joining interface348 allows the joining of the first housing half-piece 340 to the secondhousing half-piece 342. In certain embodiments, an adhesive (e.g., aglue, a bonding agent, etc.) is applied at the joining interface 348 tojoin the first housing half-piece 340 to the second housing half-piece342. In other embodiments, one or more fasteners may join the firsthousing half-piece 340 to the second housing half-piece 342. As thesecond housing half-piece 342 is identical to the first housinghalf-piece 340, the second housing half-piece 342 also includes thefirst end 344 and the second end 346. When connected together, the firstend 344 of the first housing half-piece 340 corresponds to the secondend 346 of the second housing half-piece 342. Likewise, the second end346 of the first housing half-piece 340 corresponds with the first end344 of the second housing half-piece 342. As depicted, the joininginterface 348 includes a joining plane 350, a plurality of pins 352, anda plurality of pin holes 354. As illustrated at FIG. 33 , the pins 352of the first housing half-piece 340 mate into the pin holes 354 of thesecond housing half-piece 342. Likewise, the pin holes 354 of the firsthousing half-piece 340 are adapted to mate to the pins 352 of the secondhousing half-piece 342. In certain embodiments, the pins 352 arecaptured by the pin holes 354 and thereby join the first housinghalf-piece 340 to the second housing half-piece 342. The pins 352 may becaptured by a press fit, a barb, a latching feature, etc. As depicted,the joining plane 350 is parallel to the optical fibers 88 when thefiber optic connectors 100, 102 are connected to the fiber optic adapter300.

The housing half-piece 340 includes a first latch 356 and a second latch358. Likewise, the second housing half-piece 342 includes the firstlatch 356 and the second latch 358. When the housing half-pieces 340,342 are joined into the housing 310, the first latch 356 of the firsthousing half-piece works in conjunction with the second latch 358 of thesecond housing half-piece 342 to form the first latch 322. Likewise, thesecond latch 358 of the first housing half-piece 340 works inconjunction with the first latch 356 of the second housing half-piece342 to form the second latch 324. The first latch 356 includes a firstrelease surface 398, and the second latch 358 includes a second releasesurface 400 (see FIG. 35 ). The latches 322, 324 thus each have opposedlatches 356, 358, and the releases 326, 328 may be actuated by pinchingacross the opposed latches 356, 358 at the release surfaces 398, 400(see FIGS. 1-3 and 5 ).

The first housing half-piece 340 and the second housing half-piece 342each include a first half port 360 and a second half port 362. Whenassembled together, the first housing half-piece 340 and the secondhousing half-piece 342 form the first port 312 from the first half port360 of the first housing half-piece 340 and the second half port 362 ofthe second half-piece 342. Likewise, the second port 314 is formed ofthe second half port 362 of the first housing half-piece 340 and thefirst half port 360 of the second half-piece 342.

The housing half-piece 340 includes a half flange 364. The half flange364 of the half-pieces 340, 342 form the mounting flange 308 of thefiber optic adapter 300.

The housing half-piece 340 includes an exterior 366. The housinghalf-piece 340 also includes an interior 368. A first cut 370, a secondcut 372, a third cut 374, and a fourth cut 376, extend between theexterior 366 and the interior 368. The first latch 356 is formed, inpart, by the first cut 370 and the second cut 372, and the second latch358 is formed, in part, by the third cut 374 and the fourth cut 376. Afirst flexure 378 and a second flexure 380 are formed, in part, by thefirst cut 370 and the second cut 372. Likewise, a third flexure 382 anda fourth flexure 384 are formed by the third cut 374 and the fourth cut376. The flexures 378, 380, 382, and 384 are resilient flexures. Theflexures 378, 380 allow the first latch 356 to move (e.g., rotate)relative to the remaining portions of the housing half-piece 340.Likewise, the flexures 382, 384 allow the second latch 358 to move(e.g., rotate) relative to the remaining portions of the housinghalf-piece 340. The flexures 378, 380 bias the first latch 356 toward alatching configuration (illustrated at FIG. 3 ). The flexures 382, 384bias the second latch 358 toward a latching configuration (alsoillustrated at FIG. 3 ). As illustrated at FIG. 35 , the first latch 356includes a first ramp 386, a first catch 388, and a first relief 390.Likewise, the second latch 358 includes a second ramp 392, a secondcatch 394, and a second relief 396.

As illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 5 , the ramps 386, 392 are adapted toallow the fiber optic connectors 100 and/or 102 to individually rotateboth the first latch 356 and the second latch 358 when the fiber opticconnector 100 or 102 is inserted into the ports 312 or 314 of the fiberoptic adapter 300. When the fiber optic connector 100 or 102 is fullyinserted into the fiber optic adapter 300, the latches 356, 358 rotateto the latching configuration, urged by the flexures 378, 380, 382, 384.When the latches 356, 358 are in the latching configuration, the firstcatch 388 and/or the second catch 394 prevent the removal of theconnectors 100 and/or 102 from the fiber optic adapter 300.

When it is desired to remove the fiber optic connectors 100 and/or 102from the fiber optic adapter 300, the release surfaces 398, 400 arepressed inwardly toward each other, as illustrated at FIGS. 2 and 5 ,thereby rotating the latches 356, 358 about the flexures 378, 380, 382,384. The latches 356, 358 are thereby moved to a releasing configurationas illustrated at FIGS. 2 and 5 . Upon the latches 356, 358 reaching thereleasing configuration, the catches 388, 394 no longer retain the fiberoptic connector 100 or 102. The fiber optic connector 100 or 102 maythereafter be pulled out of the fiber optic adapter 300. The reliefs390, 396 allow the latches 356, 358 to rotate to the releasingconfiguration without interfering with the fiber optic connector 100 or102.

As previously mentioned, the fiber optic adapter 300 includes the keyingfeature 332 and the keying feature 334. The housing half-piece 340includes an exterior keying feature 402. As the first housing half-piece340 and the second housing half-piece 342 are the same housinghalf-piece 340, the second housing half-piece 342 also includes theexterior keying feature 402. When the half-pieces 340, 342 are assembledto form the housing 310, the exterior keying feature 402 of the firsthousing half-piece 340 forms the keying feature 334. Likewise, thekeying feature 402 of the second housing half-piece 342 forms the keyingfeature 332 (see FIG. 32 ). As the first housing half-piece 340 and thesecond housing half-piece 342 have orientations that are rotated fromeach other by 180 degrees about the axis A1 (see FIG. 34 ), the exteriorkeying features 402, formed in the half-pieces 340, 342 provide a uniqueorientation of the keying features 332 and 334 of the fiber opticadapter 300.

As illustrated at FIGS. 48-58 , the housing half-piece 340 includes tworegions, a keyed half 412 and an unkeyed half 414 (see FIG. 49 ). Theunkeyed half 414 is adjacent to and extends from the first end 344 ofthe housing half-piece 340. The keyed half 412 is adjacent to andextends from the second end 346 of the housing half-piece 340. Theexterior keying feature 402 is included on the keyed half 412. Inaddition, a first interior keying feature 404 (see FIGS. 49 and 51 ), asecond interior keying feature 406 (see FIG. 52 ), a third interiorkeying feature 408 (see FIGS. 53 and 54 ), and a fourth interior keyingfeature 410 (see FIG. 55 ) are included on the keyed half 412. The keyedhalf 412 of the housing half-piece 340 corresponds with the indexingfeature 120 of the housing 110 of the fiber optic connectors 100 and 102when the fiber optic connectors 100 and/or 102 are installed into thefiber optic adapter 300 (e.g., the indexing feature 120 is adjacent theinterior keying features 404, 406, and/or 408). Conversely, the unkeyedhalf 414 is positioned opposite the indexing feature 120 of the housing110 of the fiber optic connectors 100 and/or 102.

As the first housing half-piece 340 and the second housing half-piece342 have orientations that are rotated from each other by 180 degreesabout the axis A1 (see FIG. 34 ) about the fiber optic adapter 300, theinterior keying features 404, 406, 408, 410 and the exterior keyingfeature 402 of the first housing half-piece 340 are rotated by 180degrees about the axis A1 from their counterpart keying features 402,404, 406, 408, 410 of the second housing half-piece 342. The arrangementof the interior keying features 404, 406, 408 of the half-pieces 340,342 of the fiber optic adapter 300 thereby ensures that the fiber opticconnectors 100 and 102 have orientations that are also rotated from eachother by 180 degrees about the axis A1 about the fiber optic adapter 300when the fiber optic connectors 100 and 102 are both fully connected tothe fiber optic adapter 300.

The housing half-piece 340 includes a first receiving channel 416 (seeFIG. 51 ) and a second receiving channel 426 (see FIG. 58 ). The firstreceiving channel 416 is on the keyed half 412 of the housing half-piece340 and includes the keying features 404, 406, and 408. In the depictedembodiment, the second receiving channel 426 is on the unkeyed half 414and does not include keying features. The first receiving channel 416includes an entrance portion 418, a latch portion 420, a centralconnector portion 422, and a central sleeve portion 424. Likewise, thesecond receiving channel 426 includes an entrance portion 428, a latchportion 430, a central connector portion 432, and a central sleeveportion 434. A half-pocket 436 is positioned between the first receivingchannel 416 and the second receiving channel 426. The half-pocket 436 ispartly on the keyed half 412 and partly on the unkeyed half 414. In thedepicted embodiment, a first half of the half-pocket 436 is on theunkeyed half 414, and a second half of the half-pocket 436 is on thekeyed half 412. Therefore, the half-pocket 436 includes a keyed half 438and an unkeyed half 440. The keyed half 438 of the half-pocket 436includes the fourth interior keying feature 410.

Turning now to FIGS. 33-47 , the alignment sleeve assembly 450 will bedescribed in further detail. The alignment sleeve assembly 450 extendsfrom a first end 452 to a second end 454. A flange 456 is positionedbetween the first end 452 and the second end 454. The alignment sleeveassembly 450 includes an exterior 458. The exterior 458 includes a firstkeying surface 460, a second keying surface 462, a third keying surface464, and a fourth keying surface 468. As depicted, the second keyingsurface 462 and the third keying surface 464 are positioned on theflange 456. The alignment sleeve assembly 450 includes a first entrance470 positioned at the first end 452, and a second entrance 472,positioned at the second end 454.

The alignment sleeve assembly 450 includes a first sleeve 480, a secondsleeve 482, and a fiber alignment assembly 510 (see FIGS. 36-41 ). Thefirst sleeve 480 is positioned adjacent the first end 452, and thesecond sleeve 482 is positioned adjacent the second end 454. Asdepicted, the first sleeve 480 and the second sleeve 482 are identicalsleeves 480. In other embodiments, the first sleeve 480 may be differentfrom the second sleeve 482. The sleeve 480 includes an outer end 484opposite from an inner end 486. The sleeve 480 includes a first keyingfeature 488 and a second keying feature 490. The first keying feature488 forms the first keying surface 460 and the fourth keying surface 468of the alignment sleeve assembly 450. The second keying feature 490forms the second keying surface 462 and the third keying surface 464 ofthe alignment sleeve assembly 450. The sleeve 480 includes an exterior492. The first keying feature 488 and the second keying feature 490 areincluded on the exterior 492. The sleeve 480 includes a tubular portion494, and a flange portion 496. In the depicted embodiment, the tubularportion 494 is positioned adjacent the outer end 484, and the flangeportion 496 is positioned adjacent the inner end 486.

When the first sleeve 480 and the second sleeve 482 are assembled toform the alignment sleeve assembly 450, the inner ends 486 of the firstsleeve 480 and the second sleeve 482 abut and seal against each other.The flange portion 496 of the first sleeve 480 and the second sleeve 482thereby form the flange 456 of the alignment sleeve assembly 450. Thefirst sleeve 480 and the second sleeve 482 have orientations that arerotated from each other by 180 degrees about the axis A1 (see FIG. 34 )when assembled to form the alignment sleeve assembly 450. The sleeve 480includes an interior 498. The interior 498 includes a pocket portion 500and a funnel portion 502. A passage 504 extends between the outer end484 and the inner end 486 of the sleeve 480 and through the pocketportion 500 and the funnel portion 502. The pocket portion 500 includesa pocket bottom 506. The fiber alignment assembly 510, when assembledinto the alignment sleeve assembly 450, is positioned within the pocketportions 500 of the first sleeve 480 and the second sleeve 482 and iscaptured between the pocket bottoms 506 of the first sleeve 480 and thesecond sleeve 482. The fiber alignment assembly 510, when assembled intothe alignment sleeve assembly 450, may seal against the pocket portions500 of the first sleeve 480 and the second sleeve 482 and/or may sealagainst the pocket bottoms 506 of the first sleeve 480 and the secondsleeve 482.

The first keying feature 488 of the first sleeve 480 forms the firstkeying surface 460 of the alignment sleeve assembly 450. The secondkeying feature 490 of the first sleeve 480 forms the second keyingsurface 462 of the alignment sleeve assembly 450. The second keyingfeature 490 of the second sleeve 482 forms the third keying surface 464of the alignment sleeve assembly 450. And, the first keying feature 488of the second sleeve 482 forms the fourth keying surface 468 of thealignment sleeve assembly 450. When the alignment sleeve assembly 450 isassembled into the fiber optic adapter 300, the first keying surface 460is adjacent the third interior keying feature 408 of the second housinghalf-piece 342, the fourth keying surface 468 is adjacent the thirdinterior keying feature 408 of the first housing half-piece 340, thesecond keying surface 462 is adjacent the fourth interior keying feature410 of the second housing half-piece 342, and the third keying surface464 is adjacent the fourth interior keying feature 410 of the firsthousing half-piece 340.

In the depicted embodiment, the alignment sleeve assembly 450 has thesame form, fit, and function when it is rotated about the axis A1 by 180degrees. Therefore, the first and the fourth keying surfaces 460, 468may be swapped when installing the alignment sleeve assembly 450 in thefiber optic adapter 300. When the first and the fourth keying surfaces460, 468 are swapped, the second and the third keying surfaces 462, 464are also swapped. In other embodiments, the keying surfaces 460, 468 and462, 464 cannot be swapped, and the alignment sleeve assembly 450assembles into the fiber optic adapter 300 in a unique orientation.

The tubular portions 494 of the first sleeve 480 and the second sleeve482 fit within and between the central sleeve portions 424, 434 of thehousing half-pieces 340, 342 when the alignment sleeve assembly 450 isassembled in the fiber optic adapter 300. Likewise, the flange portions496 of the first sleeve 480 and the second sleeve 482 fit within thehalf pockets 436 of the housing half-pieces 340, 342. The alignmentsleeve assembly 450 is thereby retained within the fiber optic adapter300. In the depicted embodiment, the central sleeve portions 424 and 434have an interior cross-sectional shape similar to an interiorcross-sectional shape of the central connector portions 422 and 432,respectively. In the depicted embodiment, the tubular portion 494 has anexterior cross-sectional shape similar to an exterior cross-sectionalshape of the housing 110 of the fiber optic connector 100. A portion ofthe housing 110, that includes the distal end portion 112, fits withinand between the central connector portions 422, 432 when the fiber opticconnector 100 is installed into the fiber optic adapter 300. The fit ofthe portion of the housing 110 between the central connector portions422 and 432 is similar to or the same as the fit of the tubular portion494 between the central sleeve portions 424 and 434. In the depictedembodiment, the central connector portions 422 and 432 are continuouswith the central sleeve portions 424 and 434, respectively.

As illustrated at FIGS. 38, 39, and 41 , the fiber alignment assembly510 extends between a first end 512 and a second end 514. The fiberalignment assembly 510 includes a passage 516 (see FIG. 40 ) thatextends between the first end 512 and the second end 514. The fiberalignment assembly 510 includes a first V-block 520, a second V-block522, a first gel block 540, and a second gel block 542. In the depictedembodiment, the first V-block 520 and the second V-block 522 areidentical V-blocks 520. In other embodiments, the V-blocks 520, 522 maybe different from each other. In the depicted embodiment, the first gelblock 540 and the second gel block 542 are identical gel blocks 540. Inother embodiments, the gel blocks 540, 542 may be different from eachother. The first V-block 520 and the second V-block 522 haveorientations that are rotated from each other by 180 degrees about theaxis A1 (see FIG. 34 ) when assembled to form the fiber alignmentassembly 510. Likewise, the first gel block 540 and the second gel block542 have orientations that are rotated from each other by 180 degreesabout the axis A1 (see FIG. 34 ) when assembled to form the fiberalignment assembly 510. The fiber alignment assembly 510 therefore hasthe same form, fit, and function when it is rotated about the axis A1 by180 degrees. The fiber alignment assembly 510 therefore may be assembledinto the alignment sleeve assembly 450 as shown or rotated about theaxis A1 by 180 degrees from the orientation shown.

Turning now to FIGS. 63-65 , the V-block 520 extends between a first end524 and a second end 526. The V-block 520 includes a first V-groove 528and a second V-groove 530 that each extends between the first end 524and the second end 526. As depicted, the first V-groove 528 and thesecond V-groove 530 are positioned on opposite sides of the V-block 520.The V-grooves 528, 530 each include an entrance transition 532 at eachend of the V-grooves 528, 530. The V-block 520 includes an insertiontransition 534 at each of the ends 524, 526. A groove radius 536 isincluded at a bottom of the first V-groove 528 and also is included at abottom of the second V-groove 530.

The gel block 540 extends between a first end 544 and a second end 546.The gel block 540 includes a ridge 548 that extends between the firstend 544 and the second end 546. The ridge 548 includes a ridge radius550. As illustrated at FIG. 41 , the ridge 548 generally fills theV-groove 528 or the V-groove 530 in the fiber alignment assembly 510.The ridge 548 may seal against the V-groove 528 or the V-groove 530 inthe fiber alignment assembly 510. The gel block 540 may seal against theV-blocks 520 wherever they contact each other.

The gel block 540 may be made of a thixotropic material. Examplematerials included in the gel block 540 may be silicones, urethanes,and/or Kratons (e.g., Krayton® D, Kraton® D (SBS) with styrene andbutadiene, Kraton® D (SIS) with styrene and isoprene, Kraton® FG,Kraton® FG with maleic anhydride grafted onto the rubber midblock,Krayton® G, Kraton® G (SEBS, SEPS) withstyrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene and/orstyrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene, Kraton® IR isoprene rubbers, Kraton®IR Latex polyisoprene latex, Kraton® styrenic block copolymers (SBC),Kraton® triblock polymer, and/or oil gels based on Kraton® polymers).Kratons are marketed by Kraton Polymers U.S. LLC of Houston, Tex. USA.Other example materials included in the gel block 540 may be diblockpolymer, polyisoprene, rubbery gels, thermoplastic gels, thermoset gels,thixotropic gels, and/or thixotropic grease. The gel block 540 may beformulated to be tacky, semi-tacky, or non-tacky. The gel block 540 ismade of easily deformable material. Other example materials included inthe gel block 540 may include siloxanes and/or organosilicon compounds.The gel block 540 may include, but is not limited to including, any ofthe materials mentioned in this paragraph.

As depicted at FIG. 41 , the ridge 548 of each of the gel blocks 540 and542 blocks and seals the passage 516 of the fiber alignment assembly510. However, the easily deformable material (e.g., the thixotropicmaterial) of the gel block 540, 542 may be pushed aside and/orpenetrated by the optical fiber 88 as the optical fiber 88 is slidthrough the passage 516. The passage 516 may remain sealed by the gelblocks 540, 542 after the optical fiber 88 is fully and/or partiallyslid through the passage 516. The gel blocks 540, 542 may seal againstthe optical fiber 88 wherever they contact each other. The optical fiber88 need not penetrate the gel blocks 540, 542 as the optical fiber 88may slide between the gel blocks 540, 542 and the V-blocks 520, 522. Theinsertion of the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 through the passage 516is further described below.

As illustrated at FIGS. 38-41, and 63 , the first gel block 540coextends with the first V-block 520 over a portion of the first V-block520 and thereby forms a first gel-backed portion 560 of the passage 516.Likewise, the second gel block 542 coextends with the second V-block 522over a portion of the second V-block 522 and thereby forms a secondgel-backed portion 562 of the passage 516. The second end 546 of thefirst gel block 540 abuts and seals against the second end 526 of thesecond V-block 522. Likewise, the second end 546 of the second gel block542 abuts and seals against the second end 526 of the first V-block 520.The first end 524 of the first V-block 520 and the first end 544 of thefirst gel block 540 are positioned at or near the first end 512 of thefiber alignment assembly 510. The first end 524 of the second V-block522 and the first end 544 of the second gel block 542 are positioned ator near the second end 514 of the fiber alignment assembly 510.

At an intermediate portion 518 of the fiber alignment assembly 510, thefirst V-block 520 overlaps with the second V-block 522 and thereby formsan intermediate portion 564 of the passage 516. The intermediate portion564 of the passage 516 may be sealed by the gel blocks 540, 542 withand/or without one and/or both of the optical fibers 88 present in thepassage 516. In the depicted embodiment, the first end 524 and thesecond end 526 of the V-blocks 520, 522 can be swapped (i.e.,interchanged). In the depicted embodiment, the first end 544 and thesecond end 546 of the gel blocks 540, 542 can be swapped (i.e.,interchanged).

At the intermediate portion 564, the passage 516 is formed between thefirst V-grooves 528 of the V-blocks 520 and 522 (see FIG. 40 ). At thefirst gel-backed portion 560 of the passage 516, the passage 516 isformed between the first V-groove 528 of the V-block 520 and the firstgel block 540. In the depicted embodiment, the first gel-backed portion560 is formed between the first V-groove 528 of the V-block 520 and theridge 548 of the first gel block 540. At the second gel-backed portion562 of the passage 516, the passage 516 is formed between the firstV-groove 528 of the V-block 522 and the second gel block 542. In thedepicted embodiment, the second gel-backed portion 562 is formed betweenthe first V-groove 528 of the V-block 522 and the ridge 548 of thesecond gel block 542. In the depicted embodiment, the first V-groove 528of the V-block 520 and/or 522 can be swapped with (i.e., interchangedwith) the second V-groove 530 of the V-block 520 and/or 522.

An example will now be given on how to connect the first fiber opticcable 82, 82′ to the second fiber optic cable 92, 92′ using the fiberoptic connection system 80. The steps given do not necessarily need tobe performed in sequence. A first step may include preassembling thefiber optic connectors 100 and 102, as shown at FIGS. 20, 21, and 24-31. The preassembly may be accomplished at a factory, and/or thepreassembly may be done at a field location (e.g., a jobsite). A secondstep may include preassembling the fiber optic adapter 300, as shown atFIGS. 32-41 . The preassembly of the fiber optic adapter 300 may be doneat a factory or may be done in the field. A third step may includeconnectorizing the first fiber optic cable 82, 82′ and/or the secondfiber optic cable 92, 92′ with the fiber optic connectors 100 and/or102, respectively. As depicted, the fiber optic cable 82 is the same asand/or similar to the fiber optic cables 82′, 92, and 92′, and the fiberoptic connectors 100 and 102 are the same. The connectorization processwill therefore sometimes only be described in regards to the fiber opticcable 82 and the fiber optic connector 100. The connectorizing of thefiber optic cables 82, 82′ and 92, 92′ may be done at a factory and/ormay be done in the field. A fourth step may include individuallyinserting the fiber optic connector 100 and the fiber optic connector102 into the ports 312 or 314 of the fiber optic adapter 300,respectively. The insertions may be done at a factory and/or may be donein the field.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-31, 88, and 89 , the connectorizing of the fiberoptic cable 82 with the fiber optic connector 100 will be described indetail. The first end portion 84 of the fiber optic cable 82 may bepre-stripped in certain embodiments. In particular, as depicted at FIG.88 , the coating 90 may be stripped from the end portion 84, asdiscussed above. Upon the first end portion 84 being stripped or beingleft unstripped, the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 is inserted into thefiber optic connector 100. In particular, the end 98 is inserted intothe stress relief portion 222 of the sleeve 210. In embodiments usingthe fiber optic cable 82′, the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 isinserted into the stress relief portion 192 of the plug 180 and thesleeve 210 may be discarded. As the depicted stress relief portion 222includes a conical shape and/or a tapering shape, the stress reliefportion 222 guides the end 98 of the optical fiber 88. Likewise, inembodiments using the fiber optic cable 82′, the depicted stress reliefportion 192 includes a conical shape and/or a tapering shape that mayguide the end 98 of the optical fiber 88.

The end 98 is further inserted through the sleeve 210 and/or into thecenter of the helical coil 176 of the spring 170. The end 98 of theoptical fiber 88 is further inserted into the sheath 130. In particular,the end 98 is inserted into the funnel 138. As the funnel 138 isconically shaped and/or taper shaped, the funnel 138 guides the end 98into the passage 136 of the sheath 130. The end 98 is further insertedto the distal end portion 132 of the sheath 130. The end 98 may protrudeslightly past the distal end portion 132 of the sheath 130 (e.g., toprovide the polishing allowance) with the sheath 130 in the extendedconfiguration 162. The fiber optic connector 100, with the fiber opticcable 82, 82′ inserted, is then inserted into a crimping tool.

An example crimping tool 700 is illustrated at FIGS. 70-77 . Thecrimping tool 700 includes a first lever 702 and a second lever 704. Asdepicted, the first lever 702 and the second lever 704 are rotatablyconnected to each other via a pin 706. FIGS. 70-73 show the crimpingtool 700 in an open configuration 708. FIGS. 74 and 75 show the crimpingtool 700 in a closed configuration 710. The first lever 702 includes afirst crimp anvil 712, and the second lever 704 includes a second crimpanvil 714. The first and the second crimp anvils 712 and 714 are locatedat or adjacent a first side 716 of the crimping tool 700. The firstlever 702 includes a first pocket 722, and the second lever 704 includesa second pocket 724. Chamfers 726 may be included around the firstpocket 722 and/or the second pocket 724. The housing 110 of the fiberoptic connector 100 may be placed within the first pocket 722 when thecrimping tool 700 is in the open configuration 708. The pockets 722and/or 724 locate the housing 110 along a longitudinal axis A2 of thefiber optic connector 100 (see FIG. 29 ).

Upon closing the crimping tool 700 to the closed configuration 710, thehousing 110 is captured and located in and between the first and thesecond pockets 722, 724. The chamfers 726 allow the housing 110 to beinstalled more easily and/or act as a guide when the housing 110 isinstalled. The chamfers 726 may also accommodate slight misalignmentsbetween the first and the second pockets 722, 724. The first pocket 722includes and extends between a first end 732 and a second end 742.Likewise, the second pocket 724 includes and extends between a first end734 and a second end 744 (see FIGS. 76 and 77 ). As depicted, thehousing 110 may be located by one or both of the first ends 732, 734and/or one or both of the second ends 742, 744. In particular, theproximal end portion 114 of the housing 110 may abut the first ends 732,734 and/or the distal end portion 112 of the housing 110 may abut thesecond ends 742, 744. The crimp tool 700 thereby provides a locatingfeature to accurately locate the housing 110 of the fiber opticconnector 100. The first lever 702 includes a first channel 752, and thesecond lever 704 includes a second channel 754. The first and the secondchannels 752, 754 accommodate the sheath 130 when the fiber opticconnector 100 is placed within the crimping tool 700. FIGS. 70 and 71show the crimping tool 700 without the fiber optic connector 100installed. FIGS. 72 and 73 show the crimping tool 700 with the fiberoptic connector 100 installed.

Upon the fiber optic connector 100 being installed into the first pocket722, the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ is slid toward the distal end portion104 of the fiber optic connector 100 (i.e., in a distal direction), ifnecessary. The sliding of the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ continues untilthe end 98 of the optical fiber 88 abuts a stop 756 of the crimping tool700 (see FIG. 76 ). As depicted, the stop 756 is located adjacent asecond side 718 of the crimping tool 700. In certain embodiments, thestop 756 locates the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 about the distanceD3 beyond the distal end portion 112 of the housing 110 (see FIG. 10 ).As mentioned above, the polishing allowance may be added to the distanceD3, and the stop 756 correspondingly locates the end 98 of the opticalfiber 88 a distance equal to about the distance D3 plus the polishingallowance beyond the distal end portion 112 of the housing 110. Upon thefiber optic connector 100 being positioned and the fiber optic cable 82,82′ being longitudinally located by the stop 756, the crimping tool 700is moved to the closed position 710.

By closing the crimping tool 700, the crimp anvils 712 and 714 crimp thecrimping portion 200 of the plug 180. By crimping the crimping portion200 of the plug 180, the optical fiber 88 is longitudinally fixed withrespect to the housing 110. Upon crimping the fiber optic connector 100to the fiber optic cable 82, 82′, the crimping tool 700 may be returnedto the open configuration 708. The fiber optic connector 100 maythereafter be removed from the crimping tool 700.

Upon the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ being crimped to the fiber opticconnector 100, the fiber optic connector 100 may be placed (e.g.,inserted) into a polishing tool. An example polishing tool 800 isillustrated at FIGS. 78-87 . The polishing tool 800 both polishes theend 98 of the optical fiber 88 and accurately positions the polished end98′ with respect to the housing 110 of the fiber optic connector 100.The polishing tool 800 includes a base 802. As depicted, the base 802includes a protrusion 804 and a paper platform 806. The protrusion 804of the base 802 may be used to hold onto the base 802, or may be used toplace the base 802 on another surface (e.g., a table, a bench, etc.).The paper platform 806 of the base 802 is adapted to hold polishingpaper 810. The polishing paper 810 has an abrasive side 812 and anattachment side 814 (see FIG. 79 ). The attachment side 814 may includepressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive may bondthe polishing paper 810 to the paper platform 806 of the base 802. Thepolishing paper 810 may be replaceable.

The polishing tool 800 also includes a holder 820. The holder 820includes a base 822. The base 822 interfaces with the abrasive side 812of the polishing paper 810. The holder 820 also includes a protrusion824. The protrusion 824 may be used to hold the holder 820. The holder820 holds the fiber optic connector 100. In particular, the holder 820includes a connector holder 830. The connector holder 830 includes apocket 842 that extends between a first end 844 and a second 846. Theproximal end portion 114 of the housing 110 abuts the second end 846 ofthe pocket 842, and/or the distal end portion 112 of the housing 110abuts the first end 844 of the pocket 842. The housing 110 is therebyaccurately located with respect to the holder 820 by a locating featureof the holder 820. As the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ is crimped andjoined to the housing 110 by the plug 180, the optical fiber 88 is alsoaccurately located with respect to the holder 820.

Upon the insertion of the fiber optic connector 100 into the polishingtool 800 (e.g., the holder 820), the tapered seat 146 of the radialcompression feature 140 of the sheath 130 activates the radialcompression feature 140. In particular, as depicted, the tapered seat146 presses into a tapered seat 834 of the holder 820. Upon the taperedseat 146 being activated by the tapered seat 834, the end 98 of theoptical fiber 88 is firmly supported by the sheath 130 via the radialcompression feature 140 which, in turn, is firmly supported by theholder 820. A bore 838 and a channel 840 of the holder 820 are adaptedto hold the remaining portions of the sheath 130 (see FIG. 81 ). Ashoulder 836 is included between the tapered seat 834 and the bore 838of the holder 820.

To allow easy installation of the fiber optic connector 100 into theholder 820, a cut-out 826 is formed through a portion of the protrusion824 and a portion of the base 822. The cut-out 826 reduces the pocket842 to about half of the size of the housing 110. The fiber optic cable82, 82′ may extend through a cable passage 848 of the holder 820 whenthe fiber optic connector 100 is positioned within the holder 820.

The holder 820 defines a polishing plane 860 at a bottom 852 of the base822. As illustrated at FIG. 83 , when the fiber optic connector 100 isfirst loaded into the holder 820, a portion of the distal end portion132 of the sheath 130 protrudes past the polishing plane 860. Inaddition, a portion of the optical fiber 88, including the end 98,extends past the polishing plane 860. Upon loading the fiber opticconnector 100 into the holder 820, the bottom 852 of the holder 820 ispositioned against the polishing paper 810 on the base 802 such that theabrasive side 812 of the polishing paper 810 is adjacent the bottom 852of the base 822. A polishing motion, such as a FIG. 8 motion may be usedto polish the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 to the polished end 98′. Asillustrated at FIG. 84 , the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 has beenreduced to the polished end 98′ and also a portion of the distal endportion 132 of the sheath 130 has been removed by the polishing paper810.

Torque that is generated on the distal end portion 132 of the sheath 130and/or the end 98 of the optical fiber 88 by the polishing motion may bereacted through and/or transferred to the tapered seat 146 and furthertransferred to the tapered seat 834. The torque therefore does notaffect the orientation of the polished end 98′ as the torque is reactedby a torque holding device (e.g., the pair of the tapered seats 146,834).

As the polishing and repeated polishings occur, the bottom 852 of thebase 822 will experience wear from the polishing paper 810. Any wear ofthe bottom 852 will affect the locational accuracy of the position ofthe polished end 98′ relative to the housing 110. A relief pocket 828and/or a relief groove 850 at the bottom 852 can serve as wearindicators. For example, a surface texture may be applied to the reliefpocket 828 and/or the relief groove 850. Upon the surface texturechanging from direct exposure to the polishing paper 810, the wear limithas been reached, and the holder 820 is due for replacement and/oroverhaul.

The holder 820 holds the fiber optic connector 100 at the angle α withrespect to the polishing plane 860. Upon the polishing being completed,the angle α is imparted to the polished end 98′ of the optical fiber 88.Upon the polishing being completed, the fiber optic connector 100 andthe attached fiber optic cable 82, 82′ may be removed from the holder820. The fiber optic connector 100 and the fiber optic connector 102,upon being similarly polished and prepared, are ready for connection tothe fiber optic adapter 300, and thereby connection to each other.

Turning again to FIGS. 1-8 , the insertion and connection of the fiberoptic connectors 100 and 102 into the fiber optic adapter 300 will bedescribed in detail. The fiber optic connector 100 and the fiber opticconnector 102 may now be individually inserted into the fiber opticadapter 300. In particular, the distal end portion 104 of the fiberoptic connector 100 may be inserted into the first port 312 or thesecond port 314 of the fiber optic adapter 300. Also, the fiber opticconnector 102 may be inserted into the remaining port 312, 314 of thefiber optic adapter 300. Prior to the insertion of the fiber opticconnectors 100, 102, the fiber optic connectors 100, 102 should beoriented properly about their longitudinal axes A2 (see FIG. 29 ). Thefiber optic connectors 100, 102 are properly oriented upon the indexingfeature 120 of the housing 110 being positioned adjacent the exteriorkeying feature 402 of the housing half pieces 340, 342. In the depictedembodiment, the indexing feature 120 of the housing 110 is orientedadjacent the keying features 332, 334 nearest the port 312, 314 that thefiber optic connector 100, 102 is being inserted into (see FIG. 2 ).

The fiber optic connectors 100, 102 individually move the correspondinglatches 322, 324 of the fiber optic adapter 300 as the fiber opticconnectors 100, 102 are inserted into the ports 312, 314 (see FIG. 5 ).The fiber optic connectors 100, 102 are then further inserted until theshoulder 154 of the sheath 130 abuts the corresponding end 452, 454 ofthe alignment sleeve assembly 450 that is positioned within the fiberoptic adapter 300 (see FIG. 5 ). The fiber optic connectors 100, 102 arethen further inserted into the fiber optic adapter 300. In certainembodiments, the fiber optic connector 100 is further inserted into thefiber optic adapter 300 by the distance D1 (see FIG. 10 ). In certainembodiments, the fiber optic connector 102 is further inserted into thefiber optic adapter 300 by the distance D1. In particular, the housing110 and the optical fiber 88 are further inserted into the fiber opticadapter 300. However, the sheath 130 is stopped by a corresponding oneof the ends 452 or 454 of the alignment sleeve assembly 450 and advancesno further. Instead, the sheath 130 is moved to the retractedconfiguration 164, thereby compressing the spring 170.

Upon the fiber optic connectors 100, 102 being fully inserted into thefiber optic adapter 300, the corresponding latches 322, 324 retain thefiber optic connectors 100, 102 by latching to the housing 110. In thedepicted embodiment, the latches 322, 324 latch onto the proximal endportion 114 of the housing 110, as shown at FIG. 3 .

As the fiber optic connectors 100, 102 are fully inserted, the opticalfibers 88 extend into the alignment sleeve assembly 450. In certainembodiments, the optical fibers 88 each individually extend into thealignment sleeve assembly 450 by a distance equal to or about equal tothe distance D1 (see FIG. 10 ). In particular, the polished ends 98′ ofthe optical fiber 88 are received by the entrances 470 or 472. Inparticular, the polished end 98′ is received by the funnel portion 502.FIGS. 42-47 illustrate in detail the alignment of the funnel portion 502with respect to the passage 516 of the fiber alignment assembly 510. Thefunnel portion 502 guides the polished end 98′ into the passage 516 andthe entrance transition 532 of the V-block 520 or 522. As the polishedend 98′ slides into the passage 516, the polished end 98′ is wiped andcleaned of any contaminants by the gel block 540. As the end portion 84slides into the passage 516, the end portion 84 may be wiped and cleanedof any contaminants by the gel block 540.

As the polished end 98′ extends through the passage 516, adjacent thegel blocks 540 or 542 (i.e., the gel-backed portions 560 or 562), thegel block 540 or 542 deforms out of the way thereby opening the passage516 to the optical fiber 88. In addition, the gel block 540 or 542cleans the polished end 98′ of the optical fiber 88. Contaminants thatmay have been present on the polished end 98′ or other portions of theoptical fiber 88 are wiped away by the gel block 540 or 542. The angle αangles the polished end 98′ of the optical fiber 88 toward the gel block540 or 542. The cleaning action of the gel block 540 or 542 may beenhanced by the angle α and/or its orientation with respect to the gelblock 540. The angle α at the polished end 98′ prevents a stagnationregion from forming at the polished end 98′. If any of the contaminantswere located in such a stagnation region, flow of gel of the gel block540 or 542 may have difficulty removing the contaminants from thestagnation region. In contrast, the flow of the gel of the gel block 540or 542 carries any contamination away from the angled polished end 98′.

Further insertion of the polished end 98′ into the fiber alignmentassembly 510 results in the polished end 98′ entering the intermediateportion 564 of the passage 516 (i.e., the portion between the firstV-block 520 and the second V-block 522). In the intermediate portion 564of the passage 516, the V-groove 528 of the V-block 520 and the V-groove528 of the V-block 522 retain the optical fiber 88 in a radial directionand thereby locate the optical fiber 88. In the depicted embodiment, aslight clearance exists (e.g., about 1 μm) between the intermediateportion 564 of the passage 516 and the optical fiber 88.

Upon each of the fiber optic connectors 100, 102 being fully inserted,the polished ends 98′ meet near or at a center of the fiber alignmentassembly 510 (as shown at FIG. 4 ). The angles α formed into thepolished ends 98′ match each other, and the angled polished ends 98′thereby abut each other upon each of the fiber optic connectors 100, 102being fully inserted into the fiber optic adapter 300.

The optical fiber 88 and/or the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ may buckle orslightly buckle between the polished end 98′ and the compression portion190 of the plug 180 to accommodate slight variations in length (e.g.,manufacturing tolerances, polishing tolerances, thermal expansion,etc.). FIG. 10 illustrates a buckled optical fiber 88 b and a buckledfiber optic cable 82 b overlaying the optical fiber 88 and the fiberoptic cable 82, when not buckled.

Upon release of the fiber optic connectors 100, 102 from the fiber opticadapter 300, the spring 170 of the fiber optic connectors 100, 102 mayassist in ejecting the fiber optic connectors 100, 102 from the fiberoptic adapter 300.

As described above, the fiber optic adapter 300 and the fiber opticconnectors 100, 102 assemble to each other in pre-determinedorientations. In particular, as illustrated at FIGS. 3 and 4 , thepolished ends 98′ abut each other with the angles α formed into thepolished ends 98′ matching each other when both of the fiber opticconnectors 100, 102 are fully assembled into the fiber optic adapter300. To ensure the pre-determined orientations and to prohibit otherorientations, the fiber optic adapter 300 includes the interior keyingfeatures 404, 406, 408 (see FIGS. 49 and 51-54 ) that interface with theindexing feature 120 of the fiber optic connectors 100, 102 (see FIGS. 7and 8 ). A first set of the interior keying features 404, 406, 408 andthe indexing feature 120 controls the orientation of the fiber opticconnector 100, and a second set of the interior keying features 404,406, 408 and the indexing feature 120 controls the orientation of thefiber optic connector 102. Thus, the fiber optic connectors 100, 102 canonly be assembled to the fiber optic adapter 300 in the properpre-determined orientations. Improper assembly orientations mayinterfere with the proper functioning of the fiber optic connectionsystem 80. In particular, the polished ends 98′ may not abut each otherproperly and/or the wiping/cleaning action of the gel blocks 540, 542 onthe optical fibers 88 may not function properly. In either case, theoptical signal connection of the fiber optic connection system 80 may becompromised or broken. By including features that prohibit improperassembly at the fiber optic connector 100, 102/fiber optic adapter 300assembly level, the fiber optic connection system 80 is madefool-resistant, more fool-proof, and/or poka-yoke and may prevent errorsduring the connector/adapter assembly process. The connector/adapterassembly process is often accomplished by users of the fiber opticconnection system 80 (e.g., technicians at a telephone company).

As described above, the fiber optic adapter 300 also includes featuresthat prohibit improper assembly of the fiber optic adapter 300. Inparticular, assembly features of the fiber optic adapter 300 only allowthe fiber optic adapter 300 to be assembled in a predeterminedconfiguration/orientation. For example, fastening features (i.e., thepins 352 and the pin holes 354) are arranged such that the first housinghalf-piece 340 and the second housing half-piece 342 may only beassembled together in a proper predetermined orientation. As anotherexample, the interior keying features 408, 410 and the keying surfaces460, 462, 464, 468 allow the alignment sleeve assembly 450 to beassembled within the fiber optic adapter 300 in only a properpredetermined orientation. Thus, by including features that prohibitimproper assembly at the fiber optic adapter 300 assembly level, thefiber optic connection system 80 is made fool-resistant, morefool-proof, and/or poka-yoke and may prevent errors during the fiberoptic adapter 300 assembly process. The fiber optic adapter 300 assemblyprocess may be accomplished at the factory or may be accomplished by aninstaller of the fiber optic connection system 80 at various fieldlocations.

As depicted at FIGS. 36-47 , the alignment sleeve assembly 450 may beassembled in multiple configurations including a proper predeterminedconfiguration/orientation (as shown) but also in improperconfiguration/orientations (e.g., an orientation of the fiber alignmentassembly 510 may be reversed). As the alignment sleeve assembly 450 maypreferably be factory assembled on production machinery, the properpredetermined configuration/orientation of the alignment sleeve assembly450 may be ensured by the production machinery.

An alternative alignment sleeve assembly 450′ is illustrated at FIGS.90-93 . As will be further described below, the alignment sleeveassembly 450′ may only be assembled in a proper predeterminedconfiguration/orientation. The alignment sleeve assembly 450′ iscompatible with the fiber optic adapter 300 and may replace thealignment sleeve assembly 450 in the fiber optic adapter 300. Thealignment sleeve assembly 450′ may be factory assembled on productionmachinery or may be assembled/serviced in the field. By includingfeatures that prohibit improper assembly at the alignment sleeveassembly 450′ assembly level, the fiber optic connection system 80 ismade fool-resistant, more fool-proof, and/or poka-yoke and may preventerrors during the alignment sleeve assembly 450′ assembly process.

Turning now to FIGS. 90-93 , the alignment sleeve assembly 450′ will bedescribed in further detail. The alignment sleeve assembly 450′ extendsfrom a first end 452′ to a second end 454′. A flange 456′ is positionedbetween the first end 452′ and the second end 454′. The alignment sleeveassembly 450′ includes an exterior 458′. The exterior 458′ includes afirst keying surface 460′, a second keying surface 462′, a third keyingsurface 464′, and a fourth keying surface 468′. As depicted, the secondkeying surface 462′ and the third keying surface 464′ are positioned onthe flange 456′. The alignment sleeve assembly 450′ includes a firstentrance 470′ positioned at the first end 452′, and a second entrance472′, positioned at the second end 454′. The exterior 458′ of thealignment sleeve assembly 450′ is the same as or similar to the exterior458 of the alignment sleeve assembly 450.

The alignment sleeve assembly 450′ includes a first sleeve 480′, asecond sleeve 482′, and a fiber alignment assembly 510′. The firstsleeve 480′ is positioned adjacent the first end 452′, and the secondsleeve 482′ is positioned adjacent the second end 454′. As depicted, thefirst sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve 482′ are identical sleeves 480′.In other embodiments, the first sleeve 480′ may be different from thesecond sleeve 482′. The sleeve 480′ includes an outer end 484′ oppositefrom an inner end 486′. The sleeve 480′ includes a first keying feature488′ and a second keying feature 490′. As depicted, the first keyingfeature 488′ and the second keying feature 490′ are the same as orsimilar to the first keying feature 488 and the second keying feature490, respectively. The first keying feature 488′ forms the first keyingsurface 460′ and the fourth keying surface 468′ of the alignment sleeveassembly 450′. The second keying feature 490′ forms the second keyingsurface 462′ and the third keying surface 464′ of the alignment sleeveassembly 450′. The sleeve 480′ includes an exterior 492′. As depicted,the exterior 492′ is the same as or similar to the exterior 492. Thefirst keying feature 488′ and the second keying feature 490′ areincluded on the exterior 492′. The sleeve 480′ includes a tubularportion 494′, and a flange portion 496′. In the depicted embodiment, thetubular portion 494′ is positioned adjacent the outer end 484′, and theflange portion 496′ is positioned adjacent the inner end 486′.

When the first sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve 482′ are assembled toform the alignment sleeve assembly 450′, the inner ends 486′ of thefirst sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve 482′ abut and seal against eachother. The flange portion 496′ of the first sleeve 480′ and the secondsleeve 482′ thereby form the flange 456′ of the alignment sleeveassembly 450′. The first sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve 482′ haveorientations that are rotated from each other by 180 degrees, similar tothe first sleeve 480 and the second sleeve 482 described above, whenassembled to form the alignment sleeve assembly 450′. The sleeve 480′includes an interior 498′. The interior 498′ includes a pocket portion500′ and a funnel portion 502′. A passage 504′ extends between the outerend 484′ and the inner end 486′ of the sleeve 480′ and through thepocket portion 500′ and the funnel portion 502′.

The pocket portion 500′ includes a pocket bottom 506′. The fiberalignment assembly 510′, when assembled into the alignment sleeveassembly 450′, is positioned within the pocket portions 500′ of thefirst sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve 482′ and is captured between thepocket bottoms 506′ of the first sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve 482′.The fiber alignment assembly 510′, when assembled into the alignmentsleeve assembly 450′, may seal against the pocket portions 500′ of thefirst sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve 482′ and/or may seal against thepocket bottoms 506′ of the first sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve 482′.

To ensure the proper predetermined configuration/orientation of thealignment sleeve assembly 450′, the first sleeve 480′, the second sleeve482′, and the fiber alignment assembly 510′ include features thatprohibit improper assembly of the alignment sleeve assembly 450′. Asdepicted, a first set and a second set of the features that prohibit theimproper assembly of the alignment sleeve assembly 450′ are included.The first set or the second set alone is sufficient to prevent theimproper assembly of the alignment sleeve assembly 450′.

The first set of features includes a raised portion 570 within thepocket portions 500′ and a first step 572 and a second step 574 on thefiber alignment assembly 510′. As illustrated at FIGS. 91-93 , theraised portion 570 of the pocket portion 500′ of the first sleeve 480′interfaces with the first step 572, and the raised portion 570 of thepocket portion 500′ of the second sleeve 482′ interfaces with the secondstep 574. As depicted, the fiber alignment assembly 510′ could berotated 180 degrees about an axis A3 (see FIG. 92 ) thus swapping thefirst step 572 and the second step 574. In this rotated configuration,the raised portion 570 of the pocket portion 500′ of the first sleeve480′ interfaces with the second step 574, and the raised portion 570 ofthe pocket portion 500′ of the second sleeve 482′ interfaces with thefirst step 572. Either the depicted configuration or the rotatedconfiguration provides the proper predeterminedconfiguration/orientation of the fiber alignment assembly 510′ withinthe alignment sleeve assembly 450′.

The second set of features includes a fillet 580 within the pocketportions 500′ and a first chamfer 582 and a second chamfer 584 on thefiber alignment assembly 510′. As illustrated at FIG. 90 , the fillet580 of the pocket portion 500′ of the first sleeve 480′ interfaces withthe first chamfer 582, and the fillet 580 of the pocket portion 500′ ofthe second sleeve 482′ interfaces with the second chamfer 584. Asdepicted, the fiber alignment assembly 510′ could be rotated 180 degreesabout the axis A3 thus swapping the first chamfer 582 and the secondchamfer 584. In this rotated configuration, the fillet 580 of the pocketportion 500′ of the first sleeve 480′ interfaces with the second chamfer584, and the fillet 580 of the pocket portion 500′ of the second sleeve482′ interfaces with the first chamfer 582. Either the depictedconfiguration or the rotated configuration provides the properpredetermined configuration/orientation of the fiber alignment assembly510′ within the alignment sleeve assembly 450′.

The first keying feature 488′ of the first sleeve 480′ forms the firstkeying surface 460′ of the alignment sleeve assembly 450′. The secondkeying feature 490′ of the first sleeve 480′ forms the second keyingsurface 462′ of the alignment sleeve assembly 450′. The second keyingfeature 490′ of the second sleeve 482′ forms the third keying surface464′ of the alignment sleeve assembly 450′. And, the first keyingfeature 488′ of the second sleeve 482′ forms the fourth keying surface468′ of the alignment sleeve assembly 450′. When the alignment sleeveassembly 450′ is assembled into the fiber optic adapter 300, the firstkeying surface 460′ is adjacent the third interior keying feature 408 ofthe second housing half-piece 342, the fourth keying surface 468′ isadjacent the third interior keying feature 408 of the first housinghalf-piece 340, the second keying surface 462′ is adjacent the fourthinterior keying feature 410 of the second housing half-piece 342, andthe third keying surface 464′ is adjacent the fourth interior keyingfeature 410 of the first housing half-piece 340.

In the depicted embodiment, the alignment sleeve assembly 450′ has thesame form, fit, and function when it is rotated by 180 degrees, similarto the alignment sleeve assembly 450. Therefore, the first and thefourth keying surfaces 460′, 468′ may be swapped when installing thealignment sleeve assembly 450′ in the fiber optic adapter 300. When thefirst and the fourth keying surfaces 460′, 468′ are swapped, the secondand the third keying surfaces 462′, 464′ are also swapped. In otherembodiments, the keying surfaces 460′, 468′ and 462′, 464′ cannot beswapped, and the alignment sleeve assembly 450′ assembles into the fiberoptic adapter 300 in a unique orientation.

The tubular portions 494′ of the first sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve482′ fit within and between the central sleeve portions 424, 434 of thehousing half-pieces 340, 342 when the alignment sleeve assembly 450′ isassembled in the fiber optic adapter 300. Likewise, the flange portions496′ of the first sleeve 480′ and the second sleeve 482′ fit within thehalf pockets 436 of the housing half-pieces 340, 342. The alignmentsleeve assembly 450′ is thereby retained within the fiber optic adapter300. In the depicted embodiment, the tubular portion 494′ has anexterior cross-sectional shape similar to the exterior cross-sectionalshape of the housing 110 of the fiber optic connector 100. The fit ofthe portion of the housing 110 between the central connector portions422 and 432 is similar to or the same as the fit of the tubular portion494′ between the central sleeve portions 424 and 434.

The fiber alignment assembly 510′ extends between a first end 512′ and asecond end 514′. The fiber alignment assembly 510′ includes a passage516′ (see FIG. 91 ) that extends between the first end 512′ and thesecond end 514′. The fiber alignment assembly 510′ includes a firstV-block 520′, a second V-block 522′, a first gel block 540′, and asecond gel block 542′. In the depicted embodiment, the first V-block520′ and the second V-block 522′ are identical V-blocks 520′. In otherembodiments, the V-blocks 520′, 522′ may be different from each other.In the depicted embodiment, the first gel block 540′ and the second gelblock 542′ are identical gel blocks 540′. In other embodiments, the gelblocks 540′, 542′ may be different from each other. The first V-block520′ and the second V-block 522′ have orientations that are rotated fromeach other by 180 degrees about the axis A3 when assembled to form thefiber alignment assembly 510′. Likewise, the first gel block 540′ andthe second gel block 542′ have orientations that are rotated from eachother by 180 degrees about the axis A3 when assembled to form the fiberalignment assembly 510′. The fiber alignment assembly 510′ therefore hasthe same form, fit, and function when it is rotated by 180 degrees aboutthe axis A3. The fiber alignment assembly 510′ therefore may beassembled into the alignment sleeve assembly 450′ as shown or rotated by180 degrees about the axis A3 from the orientation shown.

As depicted, the gel block 540′ is similar to the gel block 540 but hasa lower profile. In particular, a back side 590 of the gel block 540′ isopposite a ridge 548 of the gel block 540′. The ridge 548 is the same onthe gel blocks 540 and 540′, but the back side 590 of the gel block 540′is spaced closer to the ridge 548 on the gel block 540′ as compared to aspacing of the back side 590 of the gel block 540 and the ridge 548 onthe gel block 540. The backside 590 is adapted to fit adjacent and sealagainst the raised portion 570 of the pocket portion 500′.

In the embodiment depicted at FIGS. 90-93 , the backside 590 of the gelblock 540′ forms the first step 572 of the fiber alignment assembly510′, and the backside 590 of the gel block 542′ forms the second step574 of the fiber alignment assembly 510′. As depicted at FIG. 93 , thegel block 540′ fits between the second V-block 522′ and the pocketbottom 506′ of the first sleeve 480′, and the gel block 542′ fitsbetween the first V-block 520′ and the pocket bottom 506′ of the secondsleeve 482′. The gel block 540′ may seal against the second V-block 522′and the pocket bottom 506′ of the first sleeve 480′, and the gel block542′ may seal against the first V-block 520′ and the pocket bottom 506′of the second sleeve 482′. The gel block 540′ may press against thesecond V-block 522′ and press against the pocket bottom 506′ of thefirst sleeve 480′, and the gel block 542′ may press against the firstV-block 520′ and press against the pocket bottom 506′ of the secondsleeve 482′. The gel block 540′ may thereby urge the second V-block 522′against the pocket bottom 506′ of the second sleeve 482′ and seal thesecond V-block 522′ against the pocket bottom 506′ of the second sleeve482′. Likewise, the gel block 542′ may thereby urge the first V-block520′ against the pocket bottom 506′ of the first sleeve 480′ and sealthe first V-block 520′ against the pocket bottom 506′ of the firstsleeve 480′.

The gel blocks 540, 540′ may be made of the same or similar materials,described and listed above. The gel blocks 540, 540′ may have the sameor similar sealing arrangement, described in detail above. The gelblocks 540, 540′ may wipe/clean the optical fiber 88 in the same orsimilar manner, as described above.

As depicted, the V-block 520′ is similar to the V-block 520 but includesa chamfer 592 (see FIG. 90 ). In the embodiment depicted at FIGS. 90-93, the chamfer 592 of the first V-block 520′ forms the first chamfer 582of the fiber alignment assembly 510′, and the chamfer 592 of the secondV-block 522′ forms the second chamfer 584 of the fiber alignmentassembly 510′.

As depicted at FIGS. 78-87 , the fiber optic connector 100 may beassembled (i.e., loaded) in multiple orientations into the connectorholder 830 of the holder 820 of the polishing tool 800. The depictedassembled orientation is a proper predetermined orientation. Otherimproper orientations are possible (e.g., the fiber optic connector 100may be rotated 90, 180, or 270 degrees about the axis A2). As thepolishing process may be done by a technician, the technician may ensurethat the fiber optic connector 100 is assembled into the holder 830 atthe proper predetermined orientation.

An alternative holder 820′ is illustrated at FIGS. 94-99 . The polishingtool 800 is compatible with the holder 820′. The holder 820′ is similarto the holder 820 except that the connector holder 830′ of the holder820′ includes an alignment feature 870. As depicted, the alignmentfeature 870 is included in a pocket 842′ of the connector holder 830′.The holder 820′ includes the base 822 of the holder 820. The base 822,when included on the holder 820′, functions in the same or a similarmanner to that described above. The holder 820′ also includes theprotrusion 824 of the holder 820. The protrusion 824, when included onthe holder 820′, functions in the same or a similar manner to thatdescribed above.

As depicted, the fiber optic connector 100 is not compatible with theconnector holder 830′ as the housing 110 of the fiber optic connector100 would interfere with the alignment feature 870. However, as depictedat FIGS. 94, 95, 98, and 99 , an alternative fiber optic connector 100′is compatible with the connector holder 830′. The fiber optic connector100′ is also compatible with the fiber optic adapter 300 and isgenerally otherwise compatible for use wherever the fiber opticconnector 100 is used. The fiber optic connector 100′ is the same as thefiber optic connector 100 except an alternative housing 110′ replacesthe housing 110. The housing 110′ is the same as the housing 110 exceptan alignment feature 872 is added.

The fiber optic connector 100′ may only be assembled to the holder 820′in one unique orientation which is a proper predetermined orientation.In particular, the alignment feature 870 of the holder 820′ fits withinthe alignment feature 872 of the fiber optic connector 100′. Byincluding features that prohibit improper assembly at the polishingprocess, the fiber optic connection system 80 is made fool-resistant,more fool-proof, and/or poka-yoke and may prevent errors during thepolishing process. Upon assembly to the holder 820′, the holder 820′holds and locates the fiber optic connector 100′ by holding and locatingthe housing 110′. The housing 110′ is held and located in the same or asimilar manner as the holder 830 holds and locates the housing 110, asdescribed above. The housing 110′ is thereby accurately located withrespect to the holder 820′. As the fiber optic cable 82, 82′ is crimpedand joined to the housing 110′ by the plug 180, the optical fiber 88 isalso accurately located with respect to the holder 820′. Upon theinsertion of the fiber optic connector 100′ into the holder 820′, thetapered seat 146 of the radial compression feature 140 of the sheath 130activates the radial compression feature 140 in the same or a similarmanner to the activation of the radial compression feature of the fiberoptic connector 100. Upon the tapered seat 146 being activated, the end98 of the optical fiber 88 is firmly supported by the sheath 130 via theradial compression feature 140 which, in turn, is firmly supported bythe holder 820′.

Referring now to FIGS. 100-107 , a fiber optic connection system 1080 isillustrated. The fiber optic connection system 1080 is used to connect afirst fiber optic cable 1082 to a second fiber optic cable 1092 (seeFIG. 101 ). In particular, a first fiber optic connector 1100 isconnected to a second fiber optic connector 1102 with a fiber opticadapter 1300. The first fiber optic connector 1100 terminates the firstfiber optic cable 1082, and the second fiber optic connector 1102terminates the second fiber optic cable 1092. As illustrated, the firstfiber optic connector 1100 may be the same as the second fiber opticconnector 1102. The fiber optic connection system 1080 includes aspectsthat are the same as or similar to the fiber optic connection system 80,discussed above.

When the first fiber optic connector 1100 and the second fiber opticconnector 1102 are connected to the fiber optic adapter 1300, they areoriented 180 degrees with respect to each other about the axis A4 (seeFIG. 100 ). This is similar to the connectors 100, 102 being oriented180 degrees with respect to each other about the axis A1 when they areboth connected to the fiber optic adapter 300.

As will be discussed in detail below, the fiber optic connection system1080 includes aspects that are the same as or similar to SC fiber opticconnection systems known in the art. In particular, a latching system1318 includes a release sleeve 1240 and catches 1128 on the fiber opticconnector 1100 and latches 1322 on the fiber optic adapter 1300 that aresimilar to a latching system on the SC fiber optic connection systems.Also, an exterior 1316 of the fiber optic adapter 1300 is similar to anexterior of fiber optic adapters of the SC fiber optic connectionsystems.

Similar to the fiber optic connection system 80, the fiber opticconnection system 1080 allows either or both of the fiber opticconnectors 1100, 1102 to be selectively connected and disconnected fromthe fiber optic adapter 1300. FIGS. 100 and 101 illustrate the fiberoptic connectors 1100, 1102 each fully inserted into ports 1312, 1314(see FIG. 119 ) of the fiber optic adapter 1300, respectively. Inaddition, FIGS. 100 and 101 illustrate the fiber optic connectors 1100,1102 each latched to the fiber optic adapter 1300, and the releasesleeve 1240 configured to a non-releasing configuration. In particular,the latches 1322 of the fiber optic adapter 1300 are latched to therespective catches 1128 of the fiber optic connectors 1100, 1102. FIGS.103 and 104 illustrate the release sleeve 1240 of each of the fiberoptic connectors 1100, 1102 pulled away from the fiber optic adapter1300 to a releasing configuration thereby releasing the latches 1322 ofthe fiber optic adapter 1300 from the respective catches 1128 of thefiber optic connectors 1100, 1102. FIGS. 105 and 106 illustrate therelease sleeve 1240 of each of the fiber optic connectors 1100, 1102pulled further away from the fiber optic adapter 1300 thereby partiallyremoving the fiber optic connectors 1100, 1102 from the ports 1312, 1314of the fiber optic adapter 1300, respectively.

By individually pulling the release sleeve 1240 of each of the fiberoptic connectors 1100, 1102 further away from the fiber optic adapter1300, the fiber optic connectors 1100, 1102 can be individually fullyremoved from the fiber optic adapter 1300. Upon removal of the fiberoptic connector 1100, 1102 from the fiber optic adapter 1300, therelease sleeve 1240 automatically returns to the non-releasingconfiguration as it is biased toward the non-releasing configuration(e.g., by a spring).

Similar to the fiber optic connectors 100, 102, the fiber opticconnectors 1100, 1102 automatically deploy a sheath 1130 to an extendedconfiguration when the fiber optic connectors 1100, 1102 are removedfrom the fiber optic adapter 1300. In the depicted embodiment, a spring1170 biases the sheath 1130 toward the extended configuration. Inparticular, as illustrated at FIGS. 106 and 107 , the sheath 1130 isautomatically deployed to the extended configuration before the fiberoptic connectors 1100, 1102 are fully removed from the fiber opticadapter 1300.

To individually connect or reconnect either or both of the fiber opticconnectors 1100, 1102 to the respective ports 1312, 1314 of the fiberoptic adapter 1300, a key 1120 of the release sleeve 1240 of the fiberoptic connectors 1100, 1102 is aligned with one of two slots 1402 of thefiber optic adapter 1300. The keys 1120 and the slots 1402 ensure thatthe fiber optic connectors 1100, 1102 are correctly oriented withrespect to each other and with respect to the fiber optic adapter 1300.The keys 1120 and the slots 1402 further ensure poka-yoke assemblybetween the fiber optic connectors 1100, 1102 and the fiber opticadapter 1300.

Upon aligning the key 1120 and the slot 1402, a distal end portion 1104of the fiber optic connector 1100, 1102 is inserted into the respectiveport 1312, 1314 of the fiber optic adapter 1300. Insertion of the distalend portion 1104 into the port 1312, 1314 causes a pair of the latches1322 of the latching system 1318 to spread apart and allow the distalend portion 1104 to enter between the pair of the latches 1322.Insertion continues until the extended sheath 1130 contacts a fiberalignment portion 1450 of the fiber optic adapter 1300 (see FIGS. 106and 107 ). Similar to the fiber optic connection system 80, furtherinsertion of the fiber optic connector 1100, 1102 into the port 1312,1314 results in an end 1098 of an optical fiber 1088 of the fiber opticcable 1082, 1092 penetrating the fiber alignment portion 1450, and nofurther penetration of the sheath 1130 into the port 1312, 1314. Similarto the fiber optic connection system 80, upon continued insertion of thefiber optic connector 1100, 1102 and penetration of the end 1098 intothe fiber alignment portion 1450, the end 1098 is wiped and cleaned bythe fiber alignment portion 1450 and the sheath 1130 is moved toward aretracted configuration, thereby compressing the spring 1170.

Upon full insertion of the fiber optic connector 1100, 1102 and fullpenetration of the end 1098 into the fiber alignment portion 1450, theend 1098 is substantially centered both in the fiber optic connector1100, 1102 and the fiber alignment portion 1450 (see FIGS. 101 and 102). Upon full insertion of the fiber optic connector 1100, 1102, the pairof the latches 1322 of the latching system 1318 returns and latches thefiber optic connector 1100, 1102 to the fiber optic adapter 1300 (seeFIG. 101 ). Upon full insertion of the fiber optic connector 1100, 1102,the sheath 1130 is positioned at the retracted configuration. Upon fullinsertion of both of the fiber optic connectors 1100 and 1102, the ends1098 meet and become optically connected (see FIG. 102 ). Buckling ofeither or both of the optical fibers 1088 may be used as a mechanism foraccommodating tolerances of the fiber optic connectors 1100, 1102 and/oroptical fibers 1088, similar to the buckling of the optical fiber 82 b,illustrated at FIG. 10 .

Referring now to FIGS. 108-117 , the fiber optic connector 1100 will bedescribed in detail. As depicted, the fiber optic connector 1100 is thesame as the fiber optic connector 1102. Therefore, the fiber opticconnector 1102 follows the fiber optic connector 1100 and will generallynot be described duplicatively. The fiber optic connector 1100 includesa connector body 1110, the sheath 1130, the spring 1170, the plug 180, acable attachment member 1600, and the release sleeve 1240. In certainembodiments, the fiber optic connector 1100 may include the sleeve 210.The features and functions of the plug 180 and the sleeve 210 aredescribed in detail above with respect to the fiber optic connector 100and are similar in application to the fiber optic connector 1100.

As mentioned above, the fiber optic connector 1100 is similar to thefiber optic connector 100. In particular, the connector body 1110 issimilar to the housing 110. The connector body 1110 includes an interior1118 similar to the interior 118 of the housing 110 (see FIG. 115 ). Theinterior 1118 includes a bore 1122 similar to the bore 122, a shoulder1124 similar to the shoulder 124, and a bore 1126 similar to the bore126. The sheath 1130 is similar to the sheath 130 and is similarlypositioned in and slides within the interior 1118 of the connector body1110. The sheath 1130 is slidingly mounted within the connector body1110. As depicted, the sheath 1130 is shorter than the sheath 130. Thesheath 1130 similarly protects the optical fiber 1088 when the sheath1130 is in the extended configuration. The sheath 1130 similarly gripsand locates the optical fiber 1088 with a radial compression feature1140 when the end 1098 of the optical fiber 1088 is being polished. Thespring 1170 is similar to or the same as the spring 170 and has the sameor similar function. The plug 180 is similarly mounted to the connectorbody 1110 (e.g., in the bore 1122). The sleeve 210, when present in anembodiment of the fiber optic connector 1100, functions and fits in asimilar manner as described above with regards to certain embodiments ofthe fiber optic connector 100.

As mentioned above, the fiber optic connector 1100 has similarities toan SC connector of the SC fiber optic connection system. In particular,an exterior 1116 of the connector body 1110 is similar to an exterior ofan SC connector body in that it facilitates the slidable mounting of therelease sleeve 1240 over the exterior 1116, and in that the exterior1116 includes a pair of the catches 1128, mentioned above (see FIG. 114).

The cable attachment member 1600 extends between a distal end portion1602 and a proximal end portion 1604 and includes a pair of tabs 1606similar to a pair of tabs of the SC connector. The connector body 1110mounts over the distal end portion 1602 of the cable attachment member1600, and the pair of the tabs 1606 engages a pair of slots 1129 of theconnector body 1110 and thereby connects the connector body 1110 to thecable attachment member 1600.

The release sleeve 1240 is similar to a release sleeve of the SCconnector. In particular, the release sleeve 1240 includes a set ofreleasing ramps 1242 that engages a set of releasing features 1326 ofthe pair of the latches 1322 of the latching system 1318 to free thepair of the catches 1128 from a pair of hooks 1325 of the latches 1322(see FIGS. 114, 117 , and 119). The release sleeve 1240 also includes aset of connecting ramps 1244 that facilitate connection of the fiberoptic connector 1100 to the fiber optic adapter 1300 by engagingconnecting ramps 1324 of the pair of the latches 1322 of the latchingsystem 1318 and by spreading apart the pair of the latches 1322 when thefiber optic connector 1100 is inserted into the fiber optic adapter1300. As mentioned above, the key 1120 is included on the release sleeve1240. The release sleeve 1240 further includes gripping features 1246(see FIGS. 114-116 ). A pair of alignment features 1248 of the releasesleeve 1240 interfaces with a pair of alignment features 1121 of theconnector body 1110 to ensure a unique orientation between the releasesleeve 1240 and the connector body 1110 and poka-yoke assembly of thefiber optic connector 1100.

In addition to the pair of the tabs 1606, mentioned above, the cableattachment member 1600 includes a passage 1608 and a pair of openings1610 (see FIGS. 114-117 ). The passage 1608 extends through the cableattachment member 1600 from the distal end portion 1602 to the proximalend portion 1604 and includes a distal portion 1608 d and a proximalportion 1608 p. As depicted, the distal portion 1608 d is larger indiameter than the proximal portion 1608 p. The distal portion 1608 dfits over a mating feature 1127 of the connector body 1110 when thefiber optic connector 1100 is assembled and also surrounds a portion ofthe bore 1122 and at least a portion of the plug 180. The openings 1610provide access to the plug 180 when the connector body 1110, the sheath1130, the spring 1170, and the plug 180 are assembled together. A pairof anvils of a crimping tool (not shown) can reach through the openings1610 from opposite sides of the plug 180 and thereby crimp the crimpingportion 200 of the plug 180 with the cable attachment member 1600assembled to the connector body 1110. The crimping of the plug 180secures the position of the end 1098 of the optical fiber 1088 withrespect to the connector body 1110, similar to the above descriptionconcerning the optical fiber 88 and the housing 110 and the plug 180 ofthe fiber optic connector 100.

The fiber optic cables 1082 and 1092 may be the same type of fiber opticcable, or they may be different types of fiber optic cables. The fiberoptic cables 1082 and 1092 may be similar to the fiber optic cables 82,82′, 92, and/or 92′, discussed above. In FIGS. 116 and 117 , the fiberoptic cable 1082 is illustrated with certain optional features by way ofexample only. In particular, the fiber optic cable 1082 includes theoptical fiber 1088 with a coating 1090, a buffer layer 1108, strengthmembers 1107, and a jacket 1109. As the fiber optic cable 1082,illustrated at FIGS. 116 and 117 , includes the buffer layer 1108, thefiber optic connector 1100 is configured without the sleeve 210, similarto the fiber optic connector 100, as configured at FIGS. 22 and 23 . Thediscussion above, pertaining to the fiber optic connector 100, asconfigured at FIGS. 22 and 23 similarly applies to the fiber opticconnector 1100, as configured at FIGS. 116 and 117 . For example, thecompression portion 190 of the plug 180 may bear down directly on thebuffer layer 1108 when the crimping portion 200 of the plug 180 iscrimped.

The fiber optic connector 1100, as configured at FIGS. 116 and 117 ,includes a sleeve 1650. The sleeve 1650 may be a crimp sleeve. Thesleeve 1650 extends from a first end 1652 to a second end 1654. Thesleeve 1650 includes an interior surface 1656 positioned over a grippingportion 1620 of the cable attachment member 1600. The strength members1107 of the fiber optic cable 1082 may be secured to the cableattachment member 1600, and thereby secured to the fiber optic connector1100, by positioning the strength members 1107 over the gripping portion1620 and sliding the sleeve 1650 over the gripping portion 1620. Thesleeve 1650 may further be crimped over the strength members 1107 andthe gripping portion 1620.

Other components typically found on SC connectors can be included on thefiber optic connector 1100. For example, a strain-relief boot, a shrinktube, adhesive, epoxy, external clips, straps, a cap, etc. can beincluded on the fiber optic connector 1100.

An example assembly sequence for connectorizing the fiber optic cable1082 with the fiber optic connector 1100 includes preparing the fiberoptic cable 1082 (e.g., cutting the jacket 1109, stripping the bufferlayer 1108 and/or the coating 1090, trimming the strength members 1107,etc.); pre-applying the sleeve 1650 over the fiber optic cable 1082;connecting the cable attachment member 1600 to the connector body 1110;inserting the end 1098 of the optical fiber 1088 through the passage1608 of the cable attachment member 1600, the interior passage 216 ofthe sleeve 210, the interior passage 186 of the plug 180, a helical coil1176 of the spring 1170, a passage 1136 of the sheath 1130, and/or theinterior 1118 of the connector body 1110; axially locating the end 1098of the optical fiber 1088 with respect to the connector body 1110;crimping the crimp portion 200 of the plug 180 to secure the axiallocation of the optical fiber 1088; positioning the strength members1107 over the gripping portion 1620, positioning the sleeve 1650 overthe gripping portion 1620 and over the strength members 1107; crimpingthe sleeve 1650 to the gripping portion 1620 and to the strength members1107; installing the release sleeve 1240 over the connector body 1110;connecting the connector body 1110 to a polishing tool (e.g., apolishing tool similar to the holder 820); polishing the end 1098 of theoptical fiber 1088 with a polishing tool (e.g., a polishing tool similarto the base 802); angling the end 1098 of the optical fiber 1088 withthe polishing tool; and releasing the connector body 1110 from thepolishing tool.

As mentioned above, the fiber optic adapter 1300 has similarities to anSC adapter of the SC fiber optic connection system. In particular, thelatches 1322 of the latching system 1318, the slots 1402, a form and fitof the exterior 1316, a pair of flanges 1308, and connector guides 1330of the fiber optic adapter 1300 are similar to and function similar tocorresponding features of the SC adapter. Other SC adapter components,such as external clips, plugs, mounting features, mounting brackets,etc. can be included on the fiber optic adapter 1300.

As mentioned above, the fiber optic adapter 1300 has similarities to thefiber optic adapter 300. In particular, the fiber alignment portion 1450is similar to the alignment sleeve assembly 450, 450′ of the fiber opticadapter 300. The fiber alignment portion 1450 includes a fiber alignmentassembly 1510 similar to the fiber alignment assembly 510, 510′ (seeFIGS. 102 and 107 ). The fiber alignment assembly 1510 includes a firstV-block 1520, a second V-block 1522, a first gel block 1540, and asecond gel block 1542 similar to and positioned similar to the firstV-block 520′, the second V-block 522′, the first gel block 540′, and thesecond gel block 542′, respectively.

Referring now to FIGS. 118-120 , the fiber optic adapter 1300 will bedescribed in further detail. The fiber optic adapter 1300 extends from afirst end 1302 to a second end 1304. An intermediate portion 1306 ispositioned between the first end 1302 and the second end 1304. In thedepicted embodiment, a mounting flange 1308 is positioned over theintermediate portion 1306. The mounting flange 1308 may be attached toor integrated with the exterior 1316 of the fiber optic adapter 1300.The fiber optic adapter 1300 includes a housing 1310, and the fiberalignment portion 1450 is housed within the housing 1310. The housing1310 includes the first port 1312 and the second port 1314 at the firstend 1302 and the second end 1304, respectively.

In the depicted embodiment, the fiber optic adapter 1300 includes thehousing 1310 that is constructed of a first housing half-piece 1340 anda second housing half-piece 1342. In the depicted embodiment, the firsthousing half-piece 1340 and the second housing half-piece 1342 areidentical housing half-pieces 1340. In the depicted embodiment, thehousing half-piece 1340 is a one-piece half-piece (e.g. a unitaryhalf-piece, a monolithic half-piece, etc.). The first housing half-piece1340 extends between a first end 1344 and a second end 1346. The housinghalf-piece 1340 includes a joining interface 1348. The joining interface1348 allows the joining of the first housing half-piece 1340 to thesecond housing half-piece 1342. In certain embodiments, an adhesive(e.g., a glue, a bonding agent, etc.) is applied at the joininginterface 1348 to join the first housing half-piece 1340 to the secondhousing half-piece 1342. In other embodiments, one or more fasteners orlatches may join the first housing half-piece 1340 to the second housinghalf-piece 1342. The first housing half-piece 1340 is positionedadjacent the first end 1302 and defines the first port 1312, and thesecond housing half piece 1342 is positioned adjacent the second end1304 and defines the second port 1314. When the half-pieces 1340, 1342are connected together, the first end 1344 of the first housinghalf-piece 1340 corresponds to the first end 1302. Likewise, the firstend 1344 of the second housing half-piece 1342 corresponds with thesecond end 1304. When the half-pieces 1340, 1342 are connected together,they are oriented 180 degrees with respect to each other about the axisA4 (see FIG. 100 ). The second ends 1346 of the half-pieces 1340, 1342meet each other at the joining interface 1348. As depicted, the joininginterface 1348 includes a joining plane 1350. As depicted, the joiningplane 1350 is perpendicular to the optical fibers 1088 when the fiberoptic connectors 1100, 1102 are connected to the fiber optic adapter1300.

In the depicted embodiment, the housing half-piece 1340 includes asleeve portion 1480 positioned adjacent the second end 1346. The sleeveportion 1480 is similar to the sleeve 480 of the alignment sleeveassembly 450 and the sleeve 480′ of the alignment sleeve assembly 450′,described in detail above. However, as depicted, the sleeve portion 1480is integrated with the housing half-piece 1340. In other embodiments,the sleeve portion 1480 may be included on a separate part. As shown atFIG. 120 , the sleeve portions 1480 of the first and the second housinghalf-pieces 1340, 1342 join together to form a housing for the fiberalignment assembly 1510. The sleeve portions 1480 of the first and thesecond housing half-pieces 1340, 1342 and the fiber alignment assembly1510 form, at least in part, the fiber alignment portion 1450. The fiberalignment assembly 1510 may seal on one or more sides with the sleeveportions 1480. The sleeve portion 1480 includes a protrusion 1483 (e.g.,a tubular protrusion) with an end 1484. The end 1484 interfaces with thesheath 1130 of the fiber optic connector 1100. In particular, the end1484 causes the sheath 1130 to move to the retracted configuration whenthe fiber optic connector 1100 is inserted into the fiber optic adapter1300.

Turning now to FIGS. 121-125 , a fiber alignment assembly 1510′ withcertain similarities to the fiber alignment assemblies 510, 510′, and1510 is illustrated. In general, the various features, dimensionalcharacteristics, and/or components of the fiber alignment assemblies510, 510′, 1510, and 1510′ may be recombined with each other to formadditional embodiments of a fiber alignment assembly. In the followingdiscussion, new features will be described while features relating topreviously described features may rely on the related earlierdescription.

The fiber alignment assembly 1510′ includes an undulating fiber path(e.g., an undulating fiber passage). The undulating fiber path/passagedoes not necessarily need to be enclosed. As illustrated, the undulatingfiber path may be defined by a pair of blocks 1520′, 1522′. The blocks1520′, 1522′ may be identical to each other. The undulating fiber pathmay be defined by grooves (e.g., V-grooves) 1528′. The fiber passageincludes an undulating portion with a first contact 1529 (see FIG. 123 )adapted to contact a first optical fiber and a second contact 1529′ (seeFIG. 124 ) adapted to contact a second optical fiber. The first contact1529 urges a first angled end face of the first optical fiber in a firstlateral direction. The second contact urges a second angled end face ofthe second optical fiber in a second lateral direction opposite thefirst lateral direction. The first angled end face and the second angledend face are thereby urged together. As depicted, the undulating fiberpath is included within an intermediate portion 1518 positioned betweenthe first and the second ends of the fiber passage. The intermediateportion 1518 is also adapted to align the first and the second opticalfibers.

Turning now to FIGS. 126-130 , a fiber optic connection system 1080′with certain similarities to the fiber optic connection system 1080 (seeFIGS. 100-107 ) is illustrated. In general, the various features,dimensional characteristics, and/or components of the fiber opticconnection system 1080 may be recombined with each other to formadditional embodiments of a fiber optic connection system. In thefollowing discussion, new features will be described while featuresrelating to previously described features may rely on the relatedearlier description.

The fiber optic connection system 1080′ includes proportions that arethe same as or similar to the SC fiber optic connection system, known inthe art of fiber optic connection systems. In particular, a fiber opticadapter 1300′ includes proportions, components, and features that arethe same as or similar to an SC fiber optic adapter (see FIGS. 131-133). In addition, a first fiber optic connector 1100′ and a second fiberoptic connector 1102′ include proportions, components, and features thatare the same as or similar to an SC fiber optic connector (see FIGS. 138and 139 ). The first fiber optic connector 1100′ and the second fiberoptic connector 1102′ may be the same fiber optic connector 1100′.

Turning now to FIGS. 134-137 , the fiber optic connector 1100′ is shownin a converted configuration of an SC compatible connector 1400. Thefiber optic connector 1100′ is converted into the SC compatibleconnector 1400 by adding a ferrule adaptation 1404 (see FIGS. 140-144 ).The ferrule adaptation 1404 extends between a first end 1412 and asecond end 1414. The first end 1412 of the ferrule adaptation 1404 isadapted to abut the distal end of the sheath, and the second end 1414 ofthe ferrule adaptation 1404 is adapted to hold an end portion of anoptical fiber when the ferrule adaptation converts the fiber opticconnector 1100′ into the SC compatible connector 1400. The housing 1416includes a bore 1418 and a shoulder 1420. The sheath and the ferruleadaptation 1404 are positioned within the bore 1418. A shoulder 1422 ofthe ferrule adaptation 1404 abuts the shoulder 1420 of the bore 1418when the ferrule adaptation 1404 converts the fiber optic connector1100′ into the SC compatible connector 1400 (see FIGS. 139 and 144 ).

The fiber optic connector 1100′ may further include a spring 1424 thatbiases the sheath toward the extended configuration. The spring 1424urges the distal end of the sheath and the second end of the ferruleadaptation 1404 together. The spring 1424 also urges the shoulder 1422of the ferrule adaptation 1404 and the shoulder 1420 of the bore 1418together when the ferrule adaptation 1404 converts the fiber opticconnector 1100′ into the SC compatible connector 1400. The ferruleadaptation 1404 may be assembled into the bore 1418 through the distalend of the housing 1416 with a snap-fit connection 1426. The snap-fitconnection may include at least one resilient member 1428 at the firstend 1412 of the ferrule adaptation 1404.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeembodiments set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic alignment device for connecting afirst optical fiber to a second optical fiber, the fiber optic alignmentdevice comprising: a fiber passage extending from a first end to asecond end, the fiber passage adapted to receive the first optical fiberthrough the first end of the fiber passage and adapted to receive thesecond optical fiber through the second end of the fiber passage, thefiber passage including: a first gel member that is a first gel blockadapted to wipe the first optical fiber when the first optical fiber isslid into the fiber passage through the first end; and a second gelmember that is a second gel block adapted to wipe the second opticalfiber when the second optical fiber is slid into the fiber passagethrough the second end; wherein the fiber passage includes a firstV-groove for receiving the first optical fiber when the first opticalfiber is slid into the fiber passage and a second V-groove for receivingthe second optical fiber when the second optical fiber is slid into thefiber passage, wherein the first gel block defines a ridge that fillsthe first V-groove along at least a portion of the fiber passage and thesecond gel block defines a ridge that fills the second V-groove along atleast a portion of the fiber passage when no optical fibers are withinthe fiber passage.
 2. The fiber optic alignment device of claim 1,wherein the fiber passage includes an intermediate portion positionedbetween the first and the second ends of the fiber passage, theintermediate portion adapted to align the first and the second opticalfibers, a first portion positioned between the first end of the fiberpassage and the intermediate portion of the fiber passage, the firstportion of the fiber passage including the first V-groove, and a secondportion positioned between the second end of the fiber passage and theintermediate portion of the fiber passage, the second portion of thefiber passage including the second V-groove, wherein the first V-grooveand the second V-groove each extend into the intermediate portion of thefiber passage and overlap each other to form a fiber alignment portionof the fiber passage, and wherein the fiber alignment portion of thefiber passage is adapted to align the first and the second opticalfibers when the first and the second optical fibers are received withinthe fiber alignment portion.
 3. The fiber optic alignment device ofclaim 2, wherein the V-grooves each include a groove radius.
 4. Thefiber optic alignment device of claim 2, wherein the first V-groove isformed on a first block and the second V-groove is formed on a secondblock.
 5. The fiber optic alignment device of claim 4, furthercomprising a housing that houses the first and the second gel membersand the first and the second blocks, the housing including a firstentrance corresponding to the first end of the fiber passage and asecond entrance corresponding to the second end of the fiber passage. 6.The fiber optic alignment device of claim 5, wherein the first entranceof the housing includes a first funnel and the second entrance of thehousing includes a second funnel.
 7. The fiber optic alignment device ofclaim 5, wherein the housing includes two identical sleeves.
 8. Thefiber optic alignment device of claim 5, wherein the housing is anadapter housing, the adapter housing including a first releasable latchadapted to retain a first fiber optic connector and a second releasablelatch adapted to retain a second fiber optic connector.
 9. The fiberoptic alignment device of claim 8, wherein the adapter housing includestwo identical half-pieces.
 10. The fiber optic alignment device of claim9, wherein the two identical half-pieces join to each other at a planegenerally perpendicular to the fiber passage.
 11. The fiber opticalignment device of claim 5, wherein the housing includes two identicalhalf-pieces.
 12. The fiber optic alignment device of claim 11, whereinthe two identical half-pieces join to each other at a plane generallyperpendicular to the fiber passage.
 13. The fiber optic alignment deviceof claim 2, wherein the first and the second gel members seal theintermediate portion of the fiber passage.
 14. The fiber optic alignmentdevice of claim 1, wherein the first gel member seals the first end ofthe fiber passage and the second gel member seals the second end of thefiber passage.
 15. The fiber optic alignment device of claim 1, whereinthe first gel member is adapted to clean an end portion of the firstoptical fiber when the first optical fiber is slid within the fiberpassage and the second gel member is adapted to clean an end portion ofthe second optical fiber when the second optical fiber is slid withinthe fiber passage.
 16. The fiber optic alignment device of claim 15,wherein the gel members are adapted to clean the end portions by wipingthe end portions.
 17. The fiber optic alignment device of claim 1,wherein the first gel member is adapted to be displaced by an endportion of the first optical fiber when the first optical fiber is slidwithin the first portion of the fiber passage and the second gel memberis adapted to be displaced by an end portion of the second optical fiberwhen the second optical fiber is slid within the second portion of thefiber passage.
 18. The fiber optic alignment device of claim 17, whereinthe first and the second gel members are adapted to be displaced byangled ends of corresponding end portions of the first and secondoptical fibers.